EXHIBIT 99.1
================================================================================
ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT
Dated as of
June 1, 2001
Among
DIC GB ACQUISITION CORP.
And
GOLDEN BOOKS FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
And
CERTAIN OTHER PARTIES
================================================================================
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Definitions...............................................................1
2. Acquisition of Assets....................................................11
2.1. Purchase and Sale of Assets.......................................11
2.2. Excluded Assets...................................................16
2.3. Assumption of Liabilities.........................................17
2.4. Liabilities Not Assumed...........................................18
2.5. Purchase Price....................................................20
2.6. The Closing.......................................................21
2.7. Deliveries at the Closing.........................................22
2.8. Preliminary Allocation of Purchase Price..........................22
3. Representations and Warranties of the Selling Parties....................23
3.1. The Seller; Subsidiaries; Investments.............................23
3.2. Authorization.....................................................24
3.3. Noncontravention..................................................24
3.4. Brokers' Fees.....................................................24
3.5. Assets............................................................25
3.6. All Assets Necessary to Conduct Business..........................26
3.7. Financial Statements; SEC Reports.................................26
3.8. Indebtedness; Guarantees..........................................27
3.9. Absence of Changes................................................28
3.10. Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities................................29
3.11. Legal and Other Compliance........................................30
3.12. Taxes.............................................................30
3.13. Real Property.....................................................32
3.14. Intellectual Property.............................................33
3.15. Contracts.........................................................35
3.16. Notes and Accounts Receivable.....................................37
3.17. Insurance and Risk Management.....................................38
3.18. Litigation........................................................38
3.19. Employees.........................................................39
3.20. Employee Benefits.................................................39
-i-
3.21. Environment, Health, and Safety...................................42
3.22. Affiliate Transactions............................................42
3.23. Disclosure........................................................43
4. Representations and Warranties of the Buyer..............................43
4.1. Organization of the Buyer.........................................43
4.2. Authority for Agreement...........................................43
4.3. Noncontravention..................................................43
4.4. Brokers' Fees.....................................................43
4.5. Commitment Letters................................................44
4.6. Capitalization of Buyer...........................................44
5. Conduct and Transactions Prior to Closing................................44
5.1. Operation of Business.............................................44
5.2. Access and Information............................................47
5.3. Notice of Developments............................................49
5.4. Xxxx-Xxxxx-Xxxxxx Cooperation.....................................49
5.5. Bankruptcy Court Action...........................................49
5.6. Exclusivity.......................................................52
5.7. Good Faith........................................................53
5.8. Public Announcements..............................................53
5.9. Future SEC Filings................................................53
5.10. 2000 Audited Financial Statements.................................53
5.11. MEI, Inc..........................................................53
5.12. Certain Artech Matters............................................54
5.13. Buyer Notes.......................................................55
5.14. Certain Payments..................................................55
6. Conditions to Obligation to Close........................................56
6.1. Conditions to Obligations of the Buyer............................56
6.2. Conditions to Obligations of the Selling Parties..................59
7. Confidentiality..........................................................60
8. Termination..............................................................60
8.1. Mutual Agreement..................................................60
8.2. Certain Seller Non-Compliance.....................................60
8.3. Certain Buyer Rights to Terminate.................................61
-ii-
8.4. Certain Seller Rights to Terminate................................61
8.5. Alternative Transaction...........................................62
9. Liabilities in the Event of Termination..................................62
9.1. Sale to a Third Party; Break-Up Fee...............................62
9.2. Expense Reimbursement.............................................62
9.3. Termination by Reason of Buyer Default............................63
9.4. Return of Deposit.................................................64
10. Additional Obligations...................................................64
10.1. Further Assurances................................................64
10.2. Financial Statements..............................................64
10.3. Change of Corporate Name; Domain Names............................64
10.4. Tax Cooperation...................................................65
10.5. Certain Taxes.....................................................65
10.6. Transfer of Certain Funds Received Post-Closing...................65
10.7. Expenses..........................................................66
10.8. Employees.........................................................66
10.9. Notices and Access Letters........................................68
11. Miscellaneous............................................................68
11.1. No Third Party Beneficiaries......................................68
11.2. Entire Agreement..................................................68
11.3. Succession and Assignment.........................................68
11.4. Amendments and Waivers............................................68
11.5. Severability......................................................68
11.6. Counterparts......................................................69
11.7. Headings..........................................................69
11.8. Waivers Under Indiana Law.........................................69
11.9. Notices...........................................................69
11.10. Governing Law.....................................................70
11.11. Construction......................................................70
11.12. Incorporation of Exhibits and Schedules...........................71
11.13. Bankruptcy Court Jurisdiction.....................................71
11.14. Survival..........................................................71
-iii-
EXHIBITS
--------
A-1 - Form of 2000 10-K
A-2 - Form of 2000 Audited Financial Statements and Auditor's Report
A-3 - Artech Agreements
B-1 - Description of Terms of Buyer Notes
B-2 - Commitment Letters
C-1 - Execution Date Schedule of Liabilities
C-2 - Scheduled Persons (Knowledge)
C-3 - Form of Waiver and Release
D-1 - Form of Xxxx of Sale
D-2 - Form of Assignment of Copyrights
D-3 - Form of Assignment of Marks
D-4 - Form of Assignment of Patents
D-5 - Form of Domain Name Agreement
D-6 - Form of Stock Transfer Power
D-7 - Form of Assumption Agreement
X - Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx
X - XX Xxxxxx Stand Alone Financials
G-1 - Form of Procedure Order
G-2 - Form of Approval Order
H - Certain Effects from filing the Case
I - Forms of Employment Agreements
J - Press Release
K - Form of Notice and Acknowledgment of Transfer
L - Form of Release of XX Xxxxxx by the Selling Parties
M - Certain Retained Liabilities
-iv-
Sections Of The Disclosure Schedule
-----------------------------------
2.1(b) - Works
2.1(c) - Marks
2.1(d) - Copyrights
2.1(e) - Licenses
2.1(g) - Acquired Contracts
2.1(h) - Acquired Leases
2.1(i) - Acquired Permits
2.1(j) - Acquired Employee Benefit Plans
2.1(k) - Acquired Insurance
2.1(l) - Patents
2.2(l) - Certain Excluded Assets
2.3(a) - Assumed Indebtedness
2.3(b) - Assumed Deferred Compensation
2.3(d) - Assumed Severance, Change of Control and Certain Other Payments
3.1 - The Seller; Subsidiaries; Investments
3.3 - Certain Consents and Notices
3.5(b) - Location of Assets
3.8 - Indebtedness; Guarantees
3.9 - Absence of Changes
3.10 - Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities
3.11 - Legal and Other Compliance
3.12 - Taxes
3.13 - Real Property
3.14 - Intellectual Property
3.15 - Contracts
3.16 - Accounts Receivable
3.17 - Insurance
3.18 - Litigation
3.19 - Employees
3.20 - Employee Benefits
3.21 - Environment, Health and Safety
3.22 - Affiliated Transactions
4.6(c) Pro Forma Buyer Capitalization
5.1(a) - Operation of Business
6.1(d) - Material Consents
6.1(l) Certain Employees
-v-
ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT
This Asset Purchase Agreement (the "Agreement") is entered into as of the
1st day of June 2001 (the "Execution Date"), by and among (i) DIC GB ACQUISITION
CORP., a Delaware corporation (the "Buyer"), (ii) GOLDEN BOOKS FAMILY
ENTERTAINMENT, INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Seller"), and (iii) GOLDEN
BOOKS PUBLISHING COMPANY, INC., a Delaware corporation, GOLDEN BOOKS HOME VIDEO,
INC., a Delaware corporation, LRM ACQUISITION CORP., a Delaware corporation,
XXXXX XXXXX ENTERPRISES, INC., a California corporation, and SLE PRODUCTIONS,
INC., a California corporation, (collectively, the "Domestic Subsidiaries"). The
Seller and the Domestic Subsidiaries are collectively referred to herein as the
"Selling Parties". The Buyer and the Selling Parties are collectively referred
to herein as the "Parties".
WHEREAS, the Buyer is a wholly-owned subsidiary of DIC Entertainment
Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("DEC");
WHEREAS, each of the Selling Parties will file a Chapter 11 petition
pursuant to Xxxxx 00, Xxxxxx Xxxxxx Code (the "Bankruptcy Code") with the United
States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (the "Bankruptcy Court")
promptly upon execution of the Agreement (as provided in Section 5.5(a) hereof)
and intends to consummate the sale of the Acquired Assets (as hereinafter
defined) and the other transactions as contemplated hereby as promptly as
practicable as a sale authorized by the Bankruptcy Court pursuant to Section
363(b) of the Bankruptcy Code, together with the assumption and assignment of
certain contracts (as hereinafter provided) pursuant to Section 365 of the
Bankruptcy Code; and
WHEREAS, the Selling Parties have delivered to the Buyer the consents of
holders of approximately twenty percent of the Senior Secured Notes issued under
the Indenture (as defined herein) pursuant to which such holders have consented
to a sale of the Acquired Assets on the terms set forth herein and have agreed
not to object to structuring and consummating the transactions as contemplated
hereby (the "Noteholders Consent");
WHEREAS, in consideration of the Buyer's execution of this Agreement and
willingness to participate in the bidding process and auction contemplated
herein, simultaneously with the execution of this Agreement by the Parties, the
Seller has paid to the Buyer or one of the Buyer's Affiliates $250,000 by wire
transfer of immediately available funds;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual promises
herein made, and in consideration of the representations, warranties, and
covenants herein contained, the Parties agree as follows:
1. Definitions.
-----------
"2000 10-K" means the annual report on Form 10-K of the Seller for the
fiscal year ended December 30, 2000, substantially in the form attached hereto
as Exhibit A-1 (including the 2000 Audited Financial Statements and all exhibits
to such annual report and other documents to be filed therewith), which shall be
filed in such form and with such exhibits by the Seller with the SEC and
delivered to the Buyer as provided herein.
"2000 Audited Financial Statements" means, collectively, (i) the audited
consolidated financial statements of the Seller and its Subsidiaries for the
2000 Fiscal Year End, together with all footnotes thereto, and (ii) the
auditor's report of Ernst & Young LLP, all substantially in the form attached
hereto as Exhibit A-2, which shall be released to the Seller and delivered to
the Buyer as provided herein.
"Acquired Securities" means, collectively, (i) all outstanding shares of
capital stock or other ownership interests of XX Xxxxxx and all rights to
acquire any such capital stock or interests (including any warrant, option or
similar right), (ii) all outstanding shares of capital stock or other ownership
interests held by any Selling Party in 8 Candles Productions and all rights held
by any Selling Party to acquire any such capital stock or interests (including
any warrant, option or similar right) and (iii) the MEI Interests.
"Affiliate" means, as to any specified Person at any time, (i) any other
Person that directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries controls,
or is controlled by, or is under common control with, such specified Person, and
(ii) any Person that is currently or has been at any time since January 27, 2000
an officer or director of such specified Person, or is known by such specified
Person to be or to have been at any time since January 27, 2000, or has
indicated in any Schedule 13D or 13G filed by or on behalf of such Person with
the SEC with respect to such period that such Person is or was, a direct or
indirect beneficial holder of at least ten percent (10%) of any beneficial
interest of such specified Person, and the Members of the Immediate Family of
each such officer, director or holder. As used in the definition of "Affiliate,"
the term "control" (including the terms "controlled by" and "under common
control with") means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to
elect a majority of the board of directors or similar body governing the affairs
of such Person, or the power by contract or otherwise to control or direct or
cause the direction of the affairs or management of such Person. For the
avoidance of doubt, Ropes & Xxxx shall not be considered to be an Affiliate of
the Buyer for any purposes under this Agreement.
"Alternative Transaction" means any sale of at least 50% of the outstanding
stock of the Seller by the stockholders thereof, or the sale by the Seller of
securities representing (or convertible or exchangeable into) at least 50% of
the capital stock of the Seller, after giving effect to such issuance, or any
merger, acquisition, business combination, recapitalization, sale of
substantially all of the assets, or any similar transaction or alternative to
the transaction contemplated by this Agreement, involving the Seller and a
substantial portion of its Subsidiaries; provided that each of the following
shall be considered an "Alternative Transaction": (a) the sale of all or
substantially all of the assets comprising Golden Books Entertainment Group or
the sale of at least 85% the capital stock of the Seller's Subsidiaries that own
substantially all of such assets, (b) the sale of all or substantially all of
the capital stock of GBPC, or of all or substantially all of the assets thereof,
(c) any equity or debt investment (excluding the DIP Facility contemplated by
Section 5.1(b)(i)) in the Seller in an aggregate amount greater than $10,000,000
in cash made at any time subsequent to the Execution Date by any Person or group
of Persons in one investment or a series of investments, none of which are
Affiliates of the Buyer, provided that any debt investment made in one or more
of the Selling Parties by one or more holders of senior secured notes issued
under the Indenture or their Affiliates in an aggregate amount not exceeding
$20,000,000, the proceeds of which debt are used solely for working capital and
liquidity purposes, shall not be deemed an "Alternative
-2-
Transaction" or (d) any (i) foreclosure sale consummated outside of bankruptcy
or (ii) sale of any assets or any capital stock by one or more Selling Parties
which, in the case of clauses (i) and (ii), results (either individually or in
the aggregate with any other sales of the type described in clauses (i) and
(ii)) in aggregate proceeds payable to the holders of the senior secured notes
issued under the Indenture (prior to payment of all costs, expenses and fees,
but net of the Break-Up Fee, to the extent payable under this Agreement, in each
case, arising in connection with such sale or sales) of at least $30,000,000.
"Artech" means Artech Capital Corporation, a Canadian corporation.
"Artech Asset Purchase Agreement" means the Asset Purchase Agreement dated
as of November 10, 1999, by and among Artech, GBPC and the Seller, as amended.
"Artech Assets" means (a) all of the Artech Escrowed Funds, (b) all
inventory and other assets of any of the Selling Parties held by Artech, (c) all
claims and rights of action of any Selling Party against Artech or its
Affiliates and (d) all rights of any of the Selling Parties under or with
respect to the Contractual Obligations listed in Exhibit A-3 hereto.
"Artech Escrowed Funds" means all of the funds held in escrow pursuant to
the terms of that certain Escrow Agreement dated as of November 29, 1999, by and
among Artech, GBPC, the Seller and Bankers Trust Company, as escrow agent.
"Artech Liabilities" means (a) all Liabilities of the Selling Parties under
or with respect to the Contractual Obligations listed in Exhibit A-3 hereto, (b)
all Liabilities of any of the Selling Parties to Artech or any of its
Affiliates, (c) all Guarantees made by any Selling Party of any Liability of
Artech or any of its Affiliates in favor of any other Person, (d) all
Liabilities assumed by Artech under the Artech Asset Purchase Agreement and (e)
all Liabilities of the Selling Parties to Heidelberg USA, Inc. arising out of
the purchase of printing equipment.
"Assumed Tax" or "Assumed Taxes" means any federal, state, local, or
foreign license, payroll, employment, severance, stamp, occupation, customs
duties, withholding, social security (or similar, including FICA), unemployment,
disability, real property, personal property, sales, use, registration and value
added or other tax of any kind whatsoever, including any interest, penalty, or
addition thereto, whether disputed or not; provided that in no event shall
"Assumed Tax" or "Assumed Taxes" include any Retained Tax or Retained Taxes.
"Business" means the business of the Seller and its Subsidiaries, taken
together, as conducted up to and including the Closing Date by the Seller and
its Subsidiaries.
"Buyer Notes" means the $7,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 12 1/2%
notes issued on the Closing Date, containing the terms described in Exhibit B-1
hereto.
"Capital Lease" means a lease of any property by any Selling Party as
lessee which, in accordance with GAAP, is required to be accounted for as a
capital lease on the consolidated balance sheet of the Seller and its
Subsidiaries.
"Case" means, collectively, the cases commenced upon filing by each of the
Selling Parties of a petition with the Bankruptcy Court under Chapter 11 of the
Bankruptcy Code.
-3-
"Cash" means cash and cash equivalents calculated in accordance with GAAP.
"Cash Purchase Price" shall mean cash in an amount equal to: (w)
$70,000,000, plus (x) the amount set forth on the Certificate of Certain Cash
Amounts in respect of all cash funded into accounts in respect of payroll in the
Ordinary Course of Business which cash remains in such accounts on the Closing
Date or is used for payroll on or after the Closing Date, to the extent the
Liability in respect of such payroll is reflected as a Liability on the Closing
Date Schedule of Liabilities, minus (y) Excess Accrued Liabilities, minus (z)
without duplication of amounts in clause (y), the amount set forth on the
Certificate of Certain Cash Amounts in respect of any check overdrafts,
cash/book overdrafts or amounts otherwise reflected as negative Cash, minus (aa)
any amounts that would have been retained as Liabilities of the Seller pursuant
to Section 2.4(l) but for the election by the Buyer to pay such amounts pursuant
to Section 2.5(e), provided that amounts that may be deducted from the Cash
Purchase Price pursuant to this sub-section (aa) shall not exceed $950,000,
minus (bb) all amounts required to be paid pursuant to Sections 5.14(a),
5.14(b), 10.8(e) and 10.8(g) that are not paid prior to the Closing Date, minus
(cc) all amounts owed to Transferred Employees pursuant to the terms of the
Golden Books Family Entertainment, Inc. Executive Retention Plan (the "Retention
Plan"), to the extent payable under the terms of the Retention Plan and approved
by the Bankruptcy Court, assuming for these purposes that such Transferred
Employees continue to be eligible for such amounts on the thirtieth day
following the Closing pursuant to the terms of the Retention Plan, provided,
however, that to the extent any such Transferred Employee is ultimately
determined to be not entitled to receive such amounts when due under the terms
of the Retention Plan (an "Ineligible Transferred Employee"), then the Buyer
shall promptly pay to the Seller the amounts deducted from the Cash Purchase
Price pursuant to this sub-section (cc) in respect of all such Ineligible
Transferred Employees, minus (dd) the aggregate amount of any outstanding
Indebtedness owing by XX Xxxxxx to CIBC or its Affiliates as of the Closing Date
as set forth in the letter described in Section 6.1(p).
"CIBC" means Canadian Imperial Commerce Bank.
"CIBC Facility" means the Agreement dated as of October 20, 1999 between GB
Canada and CIBC.
"Closing Date Schedule of Liabilities" means the schedule of liabilities
prepared as of the Closing Date pursuant to the methodology set forth in Exhibit
C-1 and Exhibit E hereto.
"Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
"Commitment Letters" means the commitment letters with respect to the
financing required by the Buyer to consummate the transactions contemplated
hereby, copies of which commitment letters are attached hereto as Exhibit B-2.
"Confidential Information" means any and all information concerning the
Acquired Assets and the affairs of the Business other than that information
which is publicly known or becomes publicly known through no fault of the Seller
and/or any of its Subsidiaries.
"Contractual Obligation" shall mean, with respect to the Seller and/or any
of its Subsidiaries, any contract, agreement, understanding, deed, mortgage,
promissory note, lease,
-4-
license, commitment, undertaking, arrangement or understanding, written or oral,
including any document or instrument evidencing any Indebtedness but excluding
the certificate of incorporation, charter, partnership agreement, bylaws or
other similar organizational document of such Person, to which or by which the
Seller and/or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or otherwise subject or bound
or to which or by which any property or right of the Seller and/or any of its
Subsidiaries is subject or bound.
"Crawfordsville Facilities" means the Seller's real property located at 000
X. Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxx and 0000 X. Xxxxxx Xxxxxx in Crawfordsville, Indiana.
"DIP Facility" means any agreement or order under which any of the Selling
Parties obtain credit or financing pursuant to Bankruptcy Code Section 364(b),
(c) or (d), including the Revolver and Term Facility if it is amended or
otherwise modified to include the extension of post-petition credit or
financing, together with all documents or instruments executed pursuant thereto
or in connection therewith.
"Disclosure Schedule" means the Disclosure Schedule delivered by the
Parties to one another together with executed counterparts of this Agreement on
the Execution Date.
"8 Candles Productions" means 8 Candles Productions, Inc., a company
organized under the domestic laws of Canada.
"Entertainment Properties" means all films, motion pictures, television
programs, Videograms, animated productions, CD-ROMs and other interactive and/or
multimedia products, songs, sounds, musical compositions, recordings, and other
physical media embodying any of the Copyrights and/or distributed under any of
the Marks and any such projects or products in development.
"Environmental Laws" means any Law relating to (a) releases or threatened
release of Hazardous Substances; (b) pollution or protection of public or
employee health or the environment; or (c) the manufacture, handling, transport,
use, treatment, storage, or disposal of Hazardous Substances.
"ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended.
"Excess Accrued Liabilities" means the positive difference, if any between
the amount set forth across from the word "Total" on the Closing Date Schedule
of Liabilities (as the same is adjusted as contemplated by Section 5.2(d)
hereof) and the sum of (x) the amount set forth across from the word "Total" on
the Execution Date Schedule of Liabilities and (y) $3,300,000.
"Exclusivity Letter" means the letter agreement dated as of February 5,
2001 by and between DIC Entertainment Holdings, Inc., the holder of 100% of all
issued and outstanding capital stock of DEC, and the Seller, as amended.
"Execution Date Schedule of Liabilities" means the schedule of liabilities
listed on Exhibit C-1 hereto.
-5-
"Force Pictures Agreements" means (a) the Letter Agreement, dated January
29, 2001, by and between the Seller and Force Pictures Inc., (b) the Website
Design and Development Agreement, draft dated April 6, 2001, by and between GBPC
and Force Pictures Inc., as designer and (c) the Letter Agreement, dated June
27, 2000, by and among the Seller, Force Pictures Inc. and Traction Interactive
LLC, as contractors.
"GAAP" means United States generally accepted accounting principles.
"GB Canada" means Golden Books Publishing (Canada), Inc., a company
organized under the domestic laws of Canada.
"GBPC" means Golden Books Publishing Company, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
"Golden Books Bonus Plan" means the Golden Books Executive Officer Bonus
Plan, as amended and restated as of March 11, 1997.
"Guarantee" shall mean (a) any guarantee of the payment or performance of,
or any Liability in respect of, any Indebtedness or other obligation of any
other Person, (b) any other arrangement whereby credit is extended to one
obligor on the basis of any promise or undertaking of another Person (i) to pay
the Indebtedness of such obligor, (ii) to purchase any obligation owed by such
obligor, (iii) to purchase or lease assets under circumstances that would enable
such obligor to discharge one or more of its obligations, or (iv) to maintain
the capital, working capital, solvency or general financial condition of such
obligor, and (c) any Liability as a general partner of a partnership or as a
venturer in a joint venture in respect of Indebtedness or other obligations of
such partnership or venture.
"Hazardous Substance" means any pollutant, contaminant or toxic or
hazardous material, substance or waste, or any petroleum product or any fraction
thereof.
"Income Tax" or "Income Taxes" shall mean all Taxes based upon, measured by
or calculated with respect to (i) gross or net income or gross or net receipts
or profits (including any capital gains, minimum taxes and any Taxes on items of
tax preference, but not including sales, use, goods and services, real or
personal property transfer or other similar taxes), and (ii) multiple bases
(including corporate franchise, doing business or occupation Taxes, but not
including sales, use, goods and services, real or personal property transfer or
other similar taxes) if one or more of the bases upon which such Tax may be
based upon, measured by or calculated with respect to, is described in clause
(i) above, in the case of both clauses (i) and (ii) including any interest,
penalties thereon and additions thereto.
"Indebtedness" of any Person means all obligations of such Person (a) for
borrowed money (including principal, accrued but unpaid interest, prepayment
premiums or penalties and expenses), (b) evidenced by notes, bonds, debentures
or similar instruments, (c) under or relating to letters of credit (including
any obligation to reimburse the issuer thereof with respect to amounts drawn on
such instruments), (d) to pay any accrued dividends or distributions (or
dividends or distributions that have otherwise been declared and not yet paid)
or to redeem any securities, (e) under Capital Leases and (f) in the nature of
Guarantees of the obligations described in clauses (a) through (e) above of any
other Person.
-6-
"Indenture" means the Indenture, dated as of January 25, 2000, by and among
GBPC, as issuer, the various Persons guarantors thereunder, and HSBC Bank USA,
as trustee, as the same may be amended and/or restated from time to time and
including all documents, agreements or instruments executed pursuant thereto or
in connection therewith.
"Intellectual Property Rights" means all proprietary rights and privileges
of any kind or nature, however known or denominated, whether arising by
operation of Law, Contractual Obligation or other means, throughout the world,
including the right to distribute, exhibit, broadcast and market by all means
now known or hereafter devised (including over the Internet, World Wide Web or
other computer network), copyrights, patent rights, rights in service marks,
trademarks, trade names, trade dress, trade secret rights, rights of privacy,
publicity and biography, moral rights, and all other similar rights and
collateral, ancillary and subsidiary rights of every kind and nature, together
with the goodwill associated therewith, all remedies against infringements
thereof and rights to protect any interest therein.
"Knowledge" means actual knowledge of each individual listed as an
executive officer of the Seller in Item 4 of the 2000 10-K and each director of
the Seller listed in Item 10, Part III of the 2000 10-K, including, in the case
of any representation or warranty herein, with respect to executive officers
only, knowledge that would have been obtained from reasonable inquiry by each
such listed executive officer of those Persons set forth on Exhibit C-2 hereto.
"Laws" means all statutes, rules, regulations, codes, injunctions,
judgments, orders, decrees, rulings, constitutions, ordinances or treaties,
whether legislatively, judicially, administratively or otherwise promulgated, of
any federal, state, regional, local, municipal and foreign, international, or
multinational government or administration and related agencies. For purposes of
Sections 3.11 and 3.13 only, "Laws" shall be deemed not to include any "Law"
which constitutes an Environmental Law; it being understood that the
representations and warranties with respect to Environmental Laws are set forth
in Section 3.21 hereof.
"Lease Deposit" means the deposit of $1,500,000 deposited by the Seller
with 000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx LLC, as landlord, under the terms of the Lease, dated as
of December 24, 1996, between Paramount Group, Inc., as Agent for 000 0xx Xxxxxx
Associates Limited Partnership, as landlord, and the Seller, as amended on
December 10, 1998, January 15, 1999 and January 23, 1999.
"Liability" means any liability or obligation whether known or unknown,
whether asserted or unasserted, whether absolute or contingent, whether accrued
or unaccrued, whether matured or unmatured, whether liquidated or unliquidated,
whether incurred or consequential and whether due or to become due, including
any liability for Taxes or other liability arising out of applicable Law.
"Lien" means any mortgage, pledge, lien, security interest, charge, lien
for Taxes (other than liens for Assumed Taxes not yet due and payable),
equitable interest, encumbrance, restriction on transfer, conditional sale or
other title retention device or arrangement, transfer for the purpose of
subjection to the payment of any Indebtedness, or restriction on the creation of
any of the foregoing, whether relating to any property or right or the income or
profits therefrom.
-7-
"Material Adverse Effect" means any (i) material adverse effect on either
(A) the condition (financial or otherwise), properties, assets, operations or
results of the Business, the Seller and its Subsidiaries or on the Acquired
Assets, in each case taken as a whole, or (B) the ability of the Selling Parties
to transfer to the Buyer, and the Buyer to acquire, rights in the Acquired
Assets, taken as a whole, as contemplated hereby or (ii) material increase or
other material adverse change in the nature of the Assumed Liabilities, taken as
a whole; it being understood, however, that normal, recurring seasonal changes
in revenue, working capital, and the mix of assets and liabilities of the Seller
and its Subsidiaries consistent with prior periods will not be considered a
"Material Adverse Effect".
"MEI, Inc." means MEI, Inc., a Wisconsin corporation.
"MEI Interests" means all outstanding shares of capital stock or other
ownership interests held by any Selling Party in MEI, Inc., and all rights held
by any Selling Party to acquire any such capital stock or interests (including
any warrant, option or similar right).
"Members of the Immediate Family" means, with respect to any individual,
each spouse, domestic partner, parent, brother, sister or lineal descendant of
such individual, each trust created solely for the benefit of one or more of the
aforementioned individuals and each custodian or guardian of any property of one
or more of the aforementioned individuals in his capacity as such custodian or
guardian.
"Most Recent Audited Balance Sheet" means the balance sheet as of December
30, 2000 contained within the 2000 Audited Financial Statements.
"Ordinary Course of Business" means the ordinary course of business
consistent with past custom and practice (including with respect to quantity and
frequency).
"Permitted Liens" means (i) any easements, covenants, landlord's liens,
rights-of-way and other encumbrances or restrictions with respect to real
property which do not, individually or in the aggregate, materially detract from
the value or impair the present use or operation of, or access to, the property
subject thereto, or materially impair the operations of the Business, (ii)
deposits under worker's compensation, unemployment insurance and social security
laws to the extent required by applicable Laws and to the extent not related to
any Retained Liability, and (iii) amounts set forth in Section 3.14(e) of the
Disclosure Schedule.
"Person" means an individual, a partnership, a limited liability company, a
corporation, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, a joint venture, an
unincorporated organization or other entity or a governmental entity (or any
department, agency, or political subdivision thereof).
"Publishing Properties" means all literary, dramatic or other works and
properties (whether published or unpublished), screenplays, books, publications,
teleplays, stories, adaptations, scripts, treatments, scenarios and any and all
other literary or dramatic materials of any kind embodying any of the Copyrights
and/or distributed under any of the Marks.
"Related Group" means a group of entities (whether or not incorporated)
that would now be, or would have in the past been, considered as a single
employer with the Seller and/or any of
-8-
its Subsidiaries under Section 4001(b)(1) of ERISA or sections 414(b), (c), (m)
or (o) of the Code.
"Retained Tax" or "Retained Taxes" means (i) any Income Tax or Income Taxes
(other than Income Taxes of GB Canada) and (ii) any transfer, transfer-gains,
real property transfer, sales, excise, value-added or other similar tax incurred
by reason of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (including the
transfer of the Acquired Assets to the Buyer), including in the case of both
clauses (i) and (ii) any interest, penalty, or addition thereto, whether
disputed or not.
"Revolver and Term Facility" means the Revolving Credit and Term Loan
Agreement, dated as of January 25, 2000, by and among GBPC, as borrower, CIT, as
agent, Foothill Capital Corporation, as co-agent and as documentation agent, and
the various financial institutions party thereto from time to time as lender, as
the same may be amended and/or restated from time to time and including all
documents, agreements or instruments executed pursuant thereto or in connection
therewith but excluding any amendment or modification thereto under which any
Selling Party obtains credit or financing pursuant to Bankruptcy Code Section
364(b), (c) or (d).
"Seller Transaction Expenses" means any and all third-party fees, costs and
expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement, the making or performance
of this Agreement, the transactions contemplated hereby or the Case by the
Seller and/or any of its Subsidiaries (whether incurred prior to or after the
Execution Date up to and including the Closing Date), including (x) any and all
amounts payable to Xxxxxxx Xxxx & Xxxxxxxxx, any counsel or advisor to any
official committee, trustee or examiner or to any unofficial committee or
creditor, S-A Capital, LLC, or to any other Person (including any financial,
legal or other advisors to the Seller and any of its Subsidiaries, but subject
to clause (y) of this definition) in connection with such matters, (y) all
amounts in excess of $140,000 payable to Ernst & Young LLP and (z) any fees,
costs or expenses incurred in connection with the consideration or negotiation
of any Alternative Transaction.
"Subsidiary" means (i) any corporation with respect to which a specified
Person (or a Subsidiary thereof), directly or indirectly, owns a majority of the
common stock or has the power to vote or direct the voting of sufficient
securities to elect a majority of the directors, (ii) any general partnership,
limited liability company, joint venture or similar Person, at least a majority
of whose outstanding partnership or similar interests shall at the time be
owned, directly or indirectly, by such Person, or by one or more of its
Subsidiaries, or by such Person and one or more of its Subsidiaries and (iii)
any limited partnership of which such Person or any of its Subsidiaries is a
general partner.
"Tax" or "Taxes" means any tax of any kind constituting Retained Taxes or
Assumed Taxes.
"Tax Return" means any return, declaration, report, claim for refund, or
information return or statement relating to Taxes, including any schedule or
attachment thereto, and including any amendment thereof.
-9-
"Videogram" means any and all forms of videocassette, videodisc, video
cartridge, tape, phonogram or other similar device now known or hereafter
devised and designed for use in conjunction with a reproduction apparatus which
causes a visual image (whether or not synchronized with sound) to appear on the
screen of a television or any comparable device now known or hereafter devised.
In addition, the definitions to the following terms can be found in the
sections indicated below:
"2000 Fiscal Year End" Section 3.1(a)
"Acquired Assets" Section 2.1
"Acquired Employee Benefit Plans" Section 2.1(j)
"Acquired Contracts" Section 2.1(g)
"Acquired Insurance" Section 2.1(k)
"Acquired Leases" Section 2.1(h)
"Acquired Permits" Section 2.1(i)
"Affidavits of Service" Section 6.1
"Agreement" preamble
"Approval Hearing" Section 5.5(a)
"Approval Order" Section 5.5(b)
"Artech Inventory" Section 5.12(a)
"Assignment of Copyrights" Section 2.7(b)
"Assignment of Marks" Section 2.7(b)
"Assignment of Patents" Section 2.7(b)
"Assumed Liabilities" Section 2.3
"Assumption Agreement" Section 2.7(c)
"Auction" Section 5.5(a)
"Bankruptcy Code" recitals
"Bankruptcy Court" recitals
"Xxxx of Sale" Section 2.7(b)
"Break-Up Fee" Section 9.1
"Business Employee" Section 10.8
"Buyer" preamble
"Buyer Default Termination" Section 8.4
"Certificate of Certain Cash Amounts" Section 2.5(f)
"CIT" Section 5.2(e)
"Closing" Section 2.6
"Closing Date" Section 2.6
"Competing Bid" Section 5.5(a)
"Competing Bidder" Section 5.5(a)
"Contributors" Section 3.14
"Copyrights" Section 2.1(d)
"DEC" recitals
"Deposit" Section 2.5
"Domain Names" Section 10.3
"Domain Name Agreement" Section 2.7(b)
"Domestic Subsidiaries" preamble
-10-
"Employee Benefit Plan" Section 3.20
"Employment Agreement" Section 6.1
"Estate" Section 5.12
"Exchange Act" Section 3.7
"Excluded Assets" Section 2.2
"Execution Date" preamble
"Expense Reimbursement" Section 9.2
"Expense Termination Events" Section 9.2
"Financial Statements" Section 3.7
"Foreign Plans" Section 3.20
"GB Canada Stand-Alone Financials" Section 3.7
"HSR Act" Section 3.3
"Ineligible Transferred Employee" Definition of
"Cash Purchase Price"
"Licenses" Section 2.1(e)
"Marks" Section 2.1(c)
"Noteholders Consent" recitals
"Owned Real Property" Section 3.13
"Parties" preamble
"Patents" Section 2.1(l)
"PCBs" Section 3.21
"Petition Date" Section 5.5(a)
"Procedure Order" Section 5.5(a)
"PSA" Section 5.12(e)
"Purchase Price" Section 2.5
"Retained Liabilities" Section 2.4
"Retention Plan" Definition of "Cash Purchase Price"
"Sale Motion" Section 5.5(b)
"Sale Procedure Motion" Section 5.5(a)
"SEC" Section 3.7
"SEC Reports" Section 3.7
"Securities Act" Section 3.7
"Seller" preamble
"Seller Bring-Down Certificate" Section 6.1
"Selling Parties" preamble
"Seller Plans" Section 3.20
"Specified Buyer Termination" Section 9.2
"Stock Transfer Power" Section 2.7(b)
"Trade Secrets" Section 2.1(f)
"Transferred Employees" Section 10.8
"Welfare Plan" Section 3.20
"Works" Section 2.1(b)
2. Acquisition of Assets.
----------------------
2.1. Purchase and Sale of Assets. Upon the terms and subject to the
conditions contained herein, at the Closing the Selling Parties will sell,
assign, transfer, convey and deliver
-11-
to the Buyer or its designee, and the Buyer shall purchase (or shall cause to be
purchased) from the Selling Parties the Acquired Assets (as hereinafter
defined), free and clear of any Lien of any kind whatsoever other than a
Permitted Lien and except for Assumed Liabilities as and to the extent expressly
provided in this Agreement (and provided that, subject to Section 5.11(b), the
Acquired Securities shall be free and clear of all Liens), in exchange for (i)
the Buyer's payment of the Cash Purchase Price (as set forth in Section 2.5),
(ii) the Buyer's assumption of the Assumed Liabilities (as defined in Section
2.3), and (iii) the Buyer Notes. As used in this Agreement the term "Acquired
Assets" shall mean all the business, properties, assets, goodwill and rights of
the Selling Parties of whatever kind and nature, real or personal, tangible or
intangible, owned, leased, licensed, used or held for use or license by or on
behalf of any of the Selling Parties, including:
(a) All assets or rights of the Selling Parties, whether or not
reflected on the Most Recent Audited Balance Sheet, and all assets of the
Selling Parties that have been acquired since the date of the Most Recent
Audited Balance Sheet (in each case other than any such assets disposed of
since the date of the Most Recent Audited Balance Sheet), including:
(i) All Owned Real Property, together with all improvements,
fixtures and fittings thereon, easements, rights-of-way and other
appurtenant rights thereto (such as appurtenant rights in and to
public streets);
(ii) All tangible personal property owned by any of the Selling
Parties wherever located that is used or licensed, intended to be
used, licensed or sold, or held for use, license or sale by or on
behalf of any of the Selling Parties, including (x) all originals and
copies of all films, tapes, masters, duplicate masters, sub-masters,
Videograms, foreign language dubbed and titled versions, pre-print
elements, CD-ROMs and other interactive and/or multimedia products, or
other physical embodiments of the Works (including in each case all
cuts, trims, outtakes and stock footage, and all promos and other
advertising or promotional spots) owned by any of the Selling Parties,
and (y) all machinery, equipment, inventory, supplies, works in
progress, finished goods, furniture, and automobiles owned by any of
the Selling Parties, in the case of both clauses (x) and (y) whether
such tangible personal property is then held by any of the Selling
Parties, is in transit or is in the possession of a subcontractor,
licensee, consignee, agent or other Person;
(iii) All accounts receivable of any of the Selling Parties, all
other rights of any of the Selling Parties to receive payment and all
rights in respect of prepaid items however evidenced, whether by
notes, instruments, chattel paper or otherwise;
(iv) Any and all: (w) shares of capital stock or other equity
interest issued by XX Xxxxxx, (x) shares of capital stock or other
equity interest, evidence of Indebtedness or other security issued by
any other Person and held by any of the Selling Parties (including the
Acquired Securities (subject to Section 5.11(b)) but excluding any
Indebtedness owed solely to any Selling Party solely by any
-12-
Selling Party or by XX Xxxxxx and excluding the capital stock of any
Subsidiary of the Seller (other than GB Canada)), (y) rights of any of
the Selling Parties to repayment of any loan, advance, prepayment or
extension of credit to, or contribution to the capital of, any other
Person (including any notes or other indicia of Indebtedness and any
and all rights thereunder held by any Selling Party but excluding any
Indebtedness owed solely to any Selling Party solely by any Selling
Party or by XX Xxxxxx), and (z) any other similar investment held by
any Selling Party;
(v) All Cash of any of the Selling Parties, other than any
Selling Party's interest in the Cash Purchase Price; and
(vi) All other assets of any of the Selling Parties;
(b) All rights of the Selling Parties in and to the Entertainment
Properties and Publishing Properties held or used by any of the Selling
Parties, including those identified in Section 2.1(b) of the Disclosure
Schedule, (collectively, the "Works") and including all Intellectual
Property Rights of any of the Selling Parties in and to such materials and
all proprietary aspects of such materials, including all literary, musical,
dramatic, pictorial, graphic, sculptural, audiovisual, and recorded aspects
of such materials, and all physical embodiments or versions of such
materials, however stored or recorded in all media formats;
(c) All rights (including all Intellectual Property Rights) of the
Selling Parties in and to the trademarks, service marks, trade names, trade
dress and other names and brand identifiers held or used by any of the
Selling Parties, including the applications and registrations therefor
identified in Section 2.1(c) of the Disclosure Schedule, (collectively, the
"Marks") and further including all filings associated therewith and all
specimens, samples, illustrations and files, correspondence, records or
other documentation arising from or relating to such registrations,
applications, and filings;
(d) All rights (including all Intellectual Property Rights) of the
Selling Parties in and to all copyrightable aspects and elements of each of
the Works and the Marks and to all copyrights held or used by any of the
Selling Parties, including those described and set forth in the copyright
applications and registrations listed in Section 2.1(d) of the Disclosure
Schedule hereto, (all of the foregoing being collectively referred to as,
the "Copyrights") and further including all filings associated therewith
and all specimens, samples, illustrations and files, correspondence,
records or other documentation arising from or relating to such
registrations, applications, and filings;
(e) All rights of the Selling Parties in and to any Contractual
Obligations pursuant to which (i) any of the Selling Parties has licensed
from others any Intellectual Property Rights in the Works, Marks, or
Copyrights and/or any computer software used in the Business (which shall
be identified on such section of the Disclosure Schedule as "in-licenses"),
and/or (ii) any of the Selling Parties has granted to others certain rights
with respect to the Works, Marks, Copyrights and/or any Entertainment
Properties or Publishing Properties (which shall be identified on such
section of the Disclosure
-13-
Schedule as "out-licenses") (the "in-licenses" and "out-licenses" being
referred to collectively as the "Licenses"), including in the case of both
clauses (i) and (ii) those listed in Section 2.1(e) of the Disclosure
Schedule; and all exhibits and attachments to the various Licenses and all
business records, files, documents, and materials arising from or relating
to the Licenses, including: (w) all correspondence to or from the licensor
or licensee; (x) all samples, prototypes, designs, templates, style guides,
masters, sub-masters, duplicate masters and any similar reference or
development material provided by the licensor or licensee; (y) all
accounting records arising from or relating to each License, including
records of all payments received from and made to the licensee or licensor;
and (z) all records pertaining to compliance with License requirements,
such as approval requirements, sample requirements, royalty or other
guarantees, minimum or maximum distribution requirements, and other
requirements;
(f) Any and all data and information of any of the Selling Parties,
however stored or recorded, arising from or relating to the Works, the
Marks, the Licenses, or the Copyrights which is maintained confidentially
by any of the Selling Parties and which provides any of them a competitive
advantage through its confidential status (collectively, the "Trade
Secrets") together with all Intellectual Property Rights of any of the
Selling Parties with respect thereto;
(g) All rights of the Selling Parties under all Contractual
Obligations with respect to which any of the Selling Parties has any rights
(whether as party, third party beneficiary or otherwise), including those
listed and/or described in Section 2.1(g) of the Disclosure Schedule and
including any Contractual Obligations with respect to which the Buyer
elects to reduce the Cash Purchase Price pursuant to clause (aa) of the
definition of "Cash Purchase Price", but excluding (i) any Contractual
Obligations of the types addressed in another paragraph of this Section
2.1, (ii) any employment contracts (A) not listed on Section 2.1(g) of the
Disclosure Schedule or (B) with respect to which the Business Employee
party thereto fails to execute an Employment Agreement which remains in
full force and effect on the Closing Date, (iii) any Contractual Obligation
with any Affiliate of a Selling Party not listed on Section 2.1(g) of the
Disclosure Schedule and (iv) any other Contractual Obligation not listed on
Section 2.1(g) of the Disclosure Schedule which, by its terms, involves
consideration to or from any Selling Party in excess of $25,000 in any
fiscal year, other than any Contractual Obligations for the pre-production,
production, manufacture, shipping or display of books in the Ordinary
Course of Business, (all of the foregoing, after giving effect to such
exclusions and inclusions, collectively, the "Acquired Contracts");
(h) All rights of any of the Selling Parties in and under all
leaseholds and other rights in and to the premises occupied or used by any
of the Selling Parties pursuant to any real property leases listed on
Section 2.1(h) of the Disclosure Schedule (collectively, the "Acquired
Leases");
(i) All rights of any of the Selling Parties under all governmental
licenses, permits, authorizations, orders, registrations, certificates,
variances, approvals, consents and franchises used or useful in connection
with the operation of the Business and any and all pending applications
relating to any of the foregoing, including those listed and
-14-
described in Section 2.1(i) of the Disclosure Schedule, (collectively, the
"Acquired Permits");
(j) All rights of any of the Selling Parties with respect to the
insurance policies and Contractual Obligations included in or related to
the Employee Benefit Plans solely to the extent such insurance policies,
Contractual Obligations and Employee Benefit Plans are listed in Section
2.1(j) of the Disclosure Schedule (collectively, the "Acquired Employee
Benefit Plans") including all rights with respect to the funded assets of
Acquired Employee Benefit Plans and contributions payable by any Selling
Party to such plans;
(k) All rights of any of the Selling Parties in, under and with
respect to the insurance policies, contracts and coverages (other than
Acquired Employee Benefit Plans) obtained by any of the Selling Parties or
listing any of them as an insured party, a beneficiary or loss payee,
solely to the extent listed in Section 2.1(k) of the Disclosure Schedule,
(collectively, the "Acquired Insurance");
(l) All rights (including all Intellectual Property Rights) of the
Selling Parties in and to all patents and patent applications (domestic and
international) held or used by any of the Selling Parties, including those
identified in Section 2.1(l) of the Disclosure Schedule hereto, (the
"Patents"), along with all filings associated therewith and including all
specimens, samples, illustrations and files, correspondence, records or
other documentation arising from or relating to such filings, and all
inventions, discoveries, improvements, processes, formulae (secret or
otherwise), engineering, technical and shop drawings, specifications,
know-how and ideas to which any Selling Party owns Intellectual Property
Rights, whether patentable or not and whether or not presently utilized in
the Business;
(m) All rights of the Selling Parties under all confidentiality
agreements pursuant to which any third party has agreed not to disclose any
Confidential Information;
(n) Other than as described in Section 2.2(h), all business and
financial records, books, ledgers, files, plans, documents, correspondence,
lists (including all customer, distributor, supplier and mailing lists),
drawings, notebooks, specifications, creative materials, advertising and
promotional materials, marketing materials, studies, reports, equipment
repair, maintenance or service records, whether written or electronically
stored or however otherwise recorded, maintained or stored (including in
each case all copies thereof and all rights in and to the information
contained therein);
(o) All claims, deposits (including the Lease Deposit), bank and
lock-box accounts, prepayments, refunds, causes of action, choses in
action, rights of recovery, rights of set off, defenses, affirmative
defenses, rights of defense, and rights of recoupment of any of the Selling
Parties;
(p) All rights of any of the Selling Parties to and in respect of any
telephone numbers, web-sites, e-mail addresses and Internet domain names
registered in the name
-15-
of any of the Selling Parties or any of their respective predecessors in
interest or divisions or any other names under which any Selling Party
conducts or has conducted business;
(q) All rights of the Selling Parties to the use of the names "Golden
Books," "Golden Books Family Entertainment," "Golden Books Publishing
Company," "Golden Books Home Video," "LRM Acquisition Corp.," "Xxxxx Xxxxx
Enterprises," "SLE Productions" and any variations thereof; and
(r) All goodwill and other assets of the Selling Parties of every kind
and description, tangible or intangible, pertaining to or used in the
Business.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 2.1, none of the
foregoing property or assets described in this Section 2.1 shall include any
Excluded Assets or any assets disposed of since the date of the Most Recent
Audited Balance Sheet.
2.2. Excluded Assets. There shall be excluded from the Acquired Assets to
be sold, assigned, transferred, conveyed and delivered to the Buyer or its
designee hereunder and, to the extent in existence on the Closing Date, there
shall be retained by the Selling Parties, the following assets, properties and
rights (collectively, the "Excluded Assets"):
(a) All rights of the Selling Parties under this Agreement;
(b) All capital stock of all Subsidiaries of any of the Selling
Parties (other than XX Xxxxxx);
(c) All rights of the Selling Parties under any real property leases
(other than the Acquired Leases);
(d) All rights of the Selling Parties in, under, and with respect to
the insurance policies, contracts and coverages obtained by any of the
Selling Parties or listing any of them as an insured party, a beneficiary
or loss payee (other than any Acquired Insurance or any Acquired Employee
Benefit Plan);
(e) All rights in, under and with respect to the assets, any
administrative service contracts or funding arrangements associated with
any Employee Benefit Plans (other than the Acquired Employee Benefit
Plans);
(f) Any Indebtedness owed to any Selling Party solely by the Seller
and/or one or more of its Subsidiaries, and any Guarantees in favor of any
Selling Party made solely by the Seller and/or one or more of its
Subsidiaries;
(g) All Contractual Obligations with respect to any right of any
Person to acquire any capital stock or other direct or indirect ownership
interest in the Seller and/or any of its Subsidiaries (including any
warrant, option or similar instrument) or with respect to any right to
request registration of such capital stock or ownership interest under the
Securities Act or otherwise;
-16-
(h) Other than with respect to GB Canada, all corporate seals, minute
books, charter documents, corporate stock record books, registers of other
securities, copies of original tax and financial records (the originals of
which will be delivered to the Buyer as part of the Acquired Assets), and
such other books and records as pertain only to the organization,
existence, share capitalization or debt financing of the Selling Parties;
(i) All losses, loss carryforwards and rights to receive refunds,
credits and loss carryforwards with respect to any and all Retained Taxes;
(j) All rights of any of the Selling Parties under any Contractual
Obligation (other than Licenses, Acquired Leases, Acquired Insurance,
Acquired Permits, Acquired Contracts, Acquired Employee Benefit Plans, and
confidentiality agreements acquired by the Buyer pursuant to Section 2.1(m)
hereof);
(k) All Artech Assets; and
(l) All items listed on Section 2.2(l) of the Disclosure Schedule.
2.3. Assumption of Liabilities. On the terms and subject to the conditions
set forth herein, the Buyer will assume effective as of the Closing, and
thereafter will pay, perform and discharge in accordance with their terms, as
and when due, the Assumed Liabilities (as hereinafter defined). As used herein,
the term "Assumed Liabilities" shall mean all Liabilities of the Selling Parties
(including all such Liabilities arising from or relating to acts, omissions or
events occurring, or circumstances existing, prior to the Closing Date) other
than the Retained Liabilities. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the
contrary, the Parties specifically confirm and agree that the Assumed
Liabilities shall include any and all:
(a) Liabilities of the Selling Parties for or in respect of
Indebtedness or Guarantees of Indebtedness solely to the extent such
Indebtedness is identified in Section 2.3(a) of the Disclosure Schedule;
(b) Liabilities of the Selling Parties for or in respect of deferred
compensation obligations solely to the extent such deferred compensation
obligations are identified in Section 2.3(b) of the Disclosure Schedule;
(c) Liabilities of the Selling Parties under or with respect to
Employee Benefit Plans of any Selling Party solely to the extent arising
under Acquired Employee Benefit Plans;
(d) Liabilities of the Selling Parties to any current or former
employees, officers, directors, consultants, independent contractors and
Affiliates arising out of severance, change of control, stay-pay, sale
bonus, retention bonus, or other compensation arrangements solely to the
extent identified in Section 2.3(d) of the Disclosure Schedule, or arising
under applicable Law, and, with respect to the Liabilities arising out of
or under each of the Contractual Obligations listed under the heading
"Enhanced Severance Letters" in Section 2.3(d) of the Disclosure Schedule,
subject to obtaining from the recipients of such letters a Waiver and
Release in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C-3 (but only in the case of
Liabilities to the employee with respect to
-17-
which such Waiver and Release is to be obtained) and such Waiver and
Release being in full force and effect on the Closing Date;
(e) Liabilities of the Selling Parties for post-retirement medical
and/or life insurance benefits arising solely under collective bargaining
agreements to which one or more of the Selling Parties were a signatory,
solely to the extent that such collective bargaining agreements are
identified on Section 2.3(e) of the Disclosure Schedule;
(f) Liabilities of the Selling Parties for any Assumed Taxes of any of
the Selling Parties;
(g) Liabilities of the Selling Parties under or with respect to
Licenses, Acquired Leases, Acquired Insurance, Acquired Permits, Acquired
Contracts and confidentiality agreements acquired by the Buyer pursuant to
Section 2.1(m) hereof; and
(h) Liabilities arising out of or resulting from noncompliance with,
violation of, or for investigation, remediation or other response required
under, Environmental Laws, excluding any criminal Liabilities.
2.4. Liabilities Not Assumed. The Buyer will not assume or perform, and the
Selling Parties hereby agree to retain, pay, perform and discharge in accordance
with their terms (as the same may be modified in connection with the Case), as
and when due, the Retained Liabilities. As used herein, the term "Retained
Liabilities" shall mean any and all of the following Liabilities of any of the
Selling Parties:
(a) Any Liability of any of the Selling Parties for any Seller
Transaction Expenses;
(b) Any Liability of any of the Selling Parties for (i) any
Indebtedness or other Liability arising under or with respect to the
Revolver and Term Facility or any Guarantee in connection therewith, (ii)
any Indebtedness or other Liability arising under or with respect to any
DIP Facility or any Guarantee in connection therewith, (iii) any
Indebtedness or other Liability arising under or with respect to the
Indenture or the senior secured notes issued pursuant thereto or any
Guarantee in connection therewith, (iv) any Indebtedness of any Selling
Party owing solely to any Selling Party and/or to XX Xxxxxx, (v) any
Guarantee of any Selling Party solely in favor of any Selling Party and/or
in favor of XX Xxxxxx, or (vi) except solely to the extent specified in
Section 2.3(a) of the Disclosure Schedule, any other Indebtedness or
Guarantee of Indebtedness of the Seller and/or any of its Subsidiaries;
(c) Any Liability of any of the Selling Parties for any Retained Taxes
whether or not relating to the Business or to the transactions contemplated
hereby and whether or not incurred prior to the Closing (including any
Liability of any of the Selling Parties for the unpaid Retained Taxes of
any other Person as a transferee or successor, by Contractual Obligation or
otherwise);
(d) Any Liability of any of the Selling Parties to indemnify any
Person by reason of the fact that such Person was a director or officer of
any of the Selling Parties
-18-
or was serving at the request of any of the Selling Parties as a partner,
trustee, director, officer, employee, or agent of another Person;
(e) Except to the extent provided in Section 2.3(d), any Liability of
any of the Selling Parties to any employees, officers, directors,
consultants, independent contractors and Affiliates arising out of
severance, change of control, stay-pay, sale bonus, retention bonus, or
other special compensation or golden parachute arrangements (including any
such Liability incurred in connection with the making and performance of
this Agreement and consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby);
(f) Any Liability of any of the Selling Parties arising under, out of
or with respect to any Employee Benefit Plan (other than Liabilities under
the Acquired Employee Benefit Plans);
(g) Except to the extent provided in Section 2.3(h), any Liability of
any of the Selling Parties arising out of or resulting from noncompliance
with or violation of any Laws (including any securities Laws);
(h) Any Liability of any of the Selling Parties arising out of any
occurrences of bodily injury, property damage or personal injury which take
place on or prior to the Closing Date;
(i) Any Liability of any of the Selling Parties with respect to
deferred purchase price payment obligations or non-competition payment
obligations associated with (x) any prior acquisition of any business,
Subsidiary, security, or assets constituting all or substantially all of an
operating business, any material Owned Real Property, or any other asset
purchased or acquired outside of the Ordinary Course of Business having an
initial cost or value of more than $250,000 in each case except for amounts
identified on Section 3.14(e) of the Disclosure Schedule, or (y) any
disposition of any business, Subsidiary, security or material assets (other
than inventory disposed of in the Ordinary Course of Business and inventory
disposed of outside the Ordinary Course of Business in an aggregate amount
not exceeding $250,000 in any fiscal year);
(j) Any Liability of any of the Selling Parties to indemnify any third
party in connection with the disposition of any formerly owned
subsidiaries, operating businesses, material properties or discontinued
operations;
(k) Except as set forth in Section 2.3(h), any Liability of any of the
Selling Parties to any Person arising from or in connection with such
Person's direct or indirect ownership (at any time) of any capital stock of
or other beneficial interest in (or any right to acquire such stock of or
interest in) any of the Selling Parties;
(l) Any Liability of any of the Selling Parties under any executory
contract or unexpired lease which will be assumed and assigned under
section 365 of the Bankruptcy Code (including all Licenses, Acquired
Leases, Acquired Insurance, Acquired Permits, Acquired Contracts, Acquired
Employee Benefit Plans, and confidentiality agreements pursuant to Section
2.1(m) hereof), in excess of all amounts necessary to pay Liabilities that
accrued or arose prior to the Petition Date under the terms of such
contract or lease;
-19-
(m) Any Liability of any of the Selling Parties arising out of or
under any of the Excluded Assets;
(n) Any Liability of any of the Selling Parties under this Agreement;
(o) Any Liability of any Selling Party for claims arising from the
recovery of property under Bankruptcy Code sections 522, 545, 547, 548,
550, and 553;
(p) Any Liability of any Selling Party to any Competing Bidder arising
from or with respect to any Competing Bid;
(q) Except as provided in Section 2.3(e), Liabilities of the Selling
Parties arising under any collective bargaining agreement;
(r) Any Liability of any of the Selling Parties arising out of, under
or with respect to any Contractual Obligation (other than Licenses,
Acquired Leases, Acquired Insurance, Acquired Permits, Acquired Contracts,
Acquired Employee Benefit Plans, and confidentiality agreements acquired by
the Buyer pursuant to Section 2.1(m) hereof);
(s) Any Liability of any of the Selling Parties to the extent
specified on Exhibit M hereto;
(t) Any Liability arising under or with respect to any Contractual
Obligation to the extent such Contractual Obligation is not assigned to the
Buyer (or its permitted designee (if any)) at the Closing;
(u) Any Liability of any of the Selling Parties (A) under any
employment contract to the extent the Business Employee party thereto fails
to execute the applicable Employment Agreement or such Employment Agreement
fails to be in full force and effect at the Closing and (B) under any
Contractual Obligation listed under the heading "Enhanced Severance
Letters" in Section 2.3(d) of the Disclosure Schedule, to the extent the
Business Employee party thereto fails to execute a Waiver and Release which
remains in full force and effect at the Closing;
(v) Except as provided in Section 2.3(b), Liabilities for or in
respect of deferred compensation obligations; and
(w) Any Artech Liabilities.
2.5. Purchase Price.
(a) The aggregate transaction consideration (the "Purchase Price") to
be paid by the Buyer to the Selling Parties in respect of the purchase and
sale of the Acquired Assets hereunder shall consist of (i) the Cash
Purchase Price, which will be paid in cash as provided in this Section 2.5,
(ii) the Buyer's assumption of the Assumed Liabilities and (iii) the Buyer
Notes, which will be delivered to the Seller as provided in this Section
2.5.
-20-
(b) The Seller hereby acknowledges receipt and delivery on or prior to
the Execution Date of the Commitment Letters. In connection with such
delivery and receipt and the Parties' willingness to execute and deliver
this Agreement, the Seller is obligated, pursuant to Section 2 of the
Exclusivity Letter, to reimburse the Buyer in immediately available funds
for certain of the Buyer's out-of-pocket costs and fees and expenses
(including such amounts paid to the Buyer's lawyers, accountants and other
professional or financial advisers) incurred in connection with the due
diligence, negotiation, and documentation of the transaction contemplated
hereby. The Seller hereby agrees that as of the Execution Date the amount
of reimbursable expenses incurred by the Buyer pursuant to the terms of the
Exclusivity Letter is $1,000,000. On the Execution Date the Buyer shall pay
to the Seller a $1,000,000 deposit (the "Deposit"), which amount shall be
paid in full by setoff of the Seller's obligations under the Exclusivity
Letter. The Buyer agrees that it shall release its claims arising under and
related to the Exclusivity Letter, including under Bankruptcy Code Section
502(h), effective upon the Procedure Order becoming a final order. The
Parties hereby expressly acknowledge and agree that the Deposit shall be
considered for all purposes hereunder as a deposit made by the Buyer.
(c) At the Closing, the Buyer (i) will pay to the Selling Parties an
amount equal to (x) the Cash Purchase Price minus (y) the Deposit, such
payment to be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an
account specified to the Buyer in written instructions delivered to the
Buyer at least three business days prior to Closing and (ii) will cause to
be duly executed and delivered to the Seller the Buyer Notes.
(d) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no personal
liability shall accrue to any individual as a result of the execution and
delivery in their personal capacity of any certificate under this
Agreement, in the absence of fraud.
(e) At the Closing, the Buyer may elect in its sole discretion to pay
amounts that otherwise would have been retained as Liabilities of the
Seller pursuant to Section 2.4(1), which payments shall be deducted from
the Cash Purchase Price in an amount not to exceed $950,000 as set forth in
subsection (aa) of the definition of "Cash Purchase Price" herein.
(f) At the Closing, the Seller shall deliver to the Buyer a
certificate signed by the Seller setting forth the amount of (i) all cash
funded into accounts in respect of payroll in the Ordinary Course of
Business which cash remains in such accounts on the Closing Date or is used
for payroll on or after the Closing Date and (ii) any check overdrafts,
cash/book overdrafts or amounts otherwise reflected as negative Cash on the
general ledger of the Seller and its Subsidiaries on the Closing Date, in
the case of both clauses (i) and (ii) above, for the purpose of determining
the amounts referred to in clauses (x) and (z) of the definition of "Cash
Purchase Price" (such certificate, the "Certificate of Certain Cash
Amounts").
2.6. The Closing. The closing of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement (the "Closing") shall take place at the offices of Ropes & Xxxx in New
York, New York, as soon as reasonably possible after due satisfaction or waiver
in writing of the last to be so satisfied or waived of all of the conditions to
Closing set forth in Section 6 (other than those conditions to be
-21-
satisfied at Closing) or at such other place or date as the Parties may mutually
determine (the date upon which the Closing actually occurs being referred to
herein as the "Closing Date").
2.7. Deliveries at the Closing. At the Closing:
(a) The Seller and its Subsidiaries will deliver to the Buyer the
various certificates, instruments and documents required of each of them
under Section 6.1 (including the consents listed in Section 6.1(d) of the
Disclosure Schedule);
(b) The Selling Parties will execute, acknowledge (if appropriate),
and deliver to the Buyer: (i) the Xxxx of Sale substantially in the form
attached hereto as Exhibit D-1 which includes a power of attorney (the
"Xxxx of Sale"); (ii) the Assignment of Copyrights substantially in the
form attached hereto as Exhibit D-2 (the "Assignment of Copyrights"); (iii)
the Assignment of Marks, Trademark Applications and Goodwill substantially
in the form attached hereto as Exhibit D-3 (the "Assignment of Marks");
(iv) the Assignment of Patents substantially in the form attached hereto as
Exhibit D-4 (the "Assignment of Patents"), (v) the Domain Name Transfer
Agreement substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit D-5 (the
"Domain Name Agreement"); (vi) certificates evidencing the Acquired
Securities accompanied, in each case, by a stock transfer power in
substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit D-6 (the "Stock Transfer
Power"), and (vii) such other instruments of sale, transfer, conveyance,
and assignment as the Buyer and its counsel may reasonably request;
(c) The Buyer will deliver to the Selling Parties the various
certificates, instruments and documents required under Section 6.2 and the
Selling Parties and the Buyer will execute, acknowledge (if appropriate),
and deliver the Assumption Agreement substantially in the form attached
hereto as Exhibit D-7 (the "Assumption Agreement");
(d) The Buyer will deliver or cause the delivery of the consideration
as provided in Section 2.5; and
(e) The Selling Parties shall put the Buyer in possession of the
Acquired Assets free and clear of all Liens (other than Permitted Liens and
except for Assumed Liabilities as and to the extent expressly provided in
this Agreement); provided that the Selling Parties shall deliver to the
Buyer all certificates representing the Acquired Securities duly endorsed
for transfer and accompanied by a Stock Transfer Power to the Buyer with
signature guaranteed and otherwise in a form reasonably acceptable to the
Buyer, free and clear of all Liens (subject, in the case of the MEI
Interests, to Section 5.11(b)).
2.8. Preliminary Allocation of Purchase Price. The preliminary allocation
of the Purchase Price for the Acquired Assets shall be as determined by an
allocation to be agreed upon by the Parties prior to the Closing. The allocation
may be amended or modified by mutual agreement of the Parties to establish a
final allocation prior to the filing of the applicable Tax Returns of the Buyer
or the Seller and its Subsidiaries. The Buyer and the Selling Parties agree to
use such final allocation in all Tax Returns. Such allocation of the Purchase
Price will not be binding upon the Selling Parties' creditors or other parties
in interest in any proceeding under
-22-
Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code and will not have precedential value with
respect to any allocations of value contained in a plan or plans under Chapter
11 of the Bankruptcy Code involving the Selling Parties.
3. Representations and Warranties of the Selling Parties.
------------------------------------------------------
The Selling Parties jointly and severally represent and warrant to the
Buyer, in each case except as set forth in the subsection and paragraph of the
Disclosure Schedule corresponding to such subsection or paragraph of this
Section 3, as follows:
3.1. The Seller; Subsidiaries; Investments.
(a) The Seller is a Delaware corporation, duly organized, validly
existing, and in good standing under the laws of Delaware. The Seller's
certificate of incorporation and bylaws as incorporated by reference in the
2000 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2000 (the "2000 Fiscal
Year End") are accurate and complete copies thereof and have not been
subsequently amended. All of the Seller's Subsidiaries are listed on
Exhibit 21 to the 2000 10-K, and all such Subsidiaries are wholly-owned.
The Seller and each of its Subsidiaries is qualified to do business and is
in good standing as a foreign corporation in each jurisdiction listed in
Section 3.1(a) of the Disclosure Schedule, which such jurisdictions are the
only jurisdictions where the nature of the activities conducted by it or
the character of the property owned, leased or operated by it make such
qualification necessary or appropriate, except for any failure to be so
qualified that has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. The Seller and
each of its Subsidiaries has full corporate power and authority and all
licenses, permits, and authorizations necessary to carry on the businesses
in which it is engaged and in which it presently proposes to engage and to
own and use the properties owned and used by it, except where any failure
to have such power, authority or authorization has not had and would not
reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a
Material Adverse Effect. The Seller has delivered to the Buyer correct and
complete copies of the charter and bylaws, or any other similar governing
or organizational documents, of each of its Subsidiaries (each as amended
to date). Neither the Seller nor any of its Subsidiaries is in default
under or in violation of any provision of its charter, bylaws or any other
similar governing or organizational documents.
(b) Section 3.1(b)(i) of the Disclosure Schedule sets forth any Person
(other than Subsidiaries of the Seller) in which the Seller and/or any of
its Subsidiaries has any direct or indirect equity participation or
ownership interest or to which the Seller or any of its Subsidiaries have
extended any loan or similar investment. With respect to each Person set
forth in Section 3.1(b)(i) of the Disclosure Schedule, neither the Seller
nor any of its Subsidiaries has any Liability in respect of or other
obligation to make or incur any (x) loan, Indebtedness, Guarantee or other
extension of credit or financing to or in favor of such Person, or (y)
contribution to capital to, acquisition of any equity participation or
ownership interest of, or other investment in, such Person. Except as set
forth on Section 3.1(b)(ii) of the Disclosure Schedule, no Person other
than the Selling Parties has any right, title or interest in any capital
stock of, or other ownership interest in, any Person set
-23-
forth in Section 3.1(b)(i) of the Disclosure Schedule or in any of their
respective profits, earnings, gains or losses or any warrant, option or
similar right to acquire any such capital stock or ownership interest.
Except as set forth in Section 3.1(b)(iii) of the Disclosure Schedule,
neither the Seller nor any of its Subsidiaries has any joint venture,
partnership or other Contractual Obligation with Xxxxx Shooter or otherwise
with respect to the ventures known as "Broadway Comics" or "Defiant
Comics".
3.2. Authorization. Each of the Selling Parties has the power and authority
to execute and deliver this Agreement and, subject to obtaining the Approval
Order, to perform their respective obligations hereunder. All corporate actions
to be taken by or on the part of each of the Selling Parties to authorize and
permit the execution and delivery by each of them of this Agreement and the
documents required to be executed and delivered by each of them pursuant hereto,
the performance by each of them of their respective obligations hereunder and
thereunder, and the consummation by each of them of the transactions
contemplated herein and therein, have been duly and properly taken. This
Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by each of the Selling Parties
and constitutes, subject to obtaining the Approval Order in order to consummate
the Closing, the legal, valid and binding obligation of each of them,
enforceable against each of them in accordance with its terms and conditions.
3.3. Noncontravention. Neither the execution and the delivery of this
Agreement, nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby
(including the assignments and assumptions referred to in Section 2), will (i)
violate any Law to which the Seller and/or any of its Subsidiaries or any of
their respective property is subject, (ii) violate any provision of the charter
or bylaws or any other similar governing or organizational documents of the
Seller and/or any of its Subsidiaries, or (iii) subject to obtaining the
Approval Order, conflict with, result in a breach of, constitute a default
under, result in the acceleration of, create in any party the right to
accelerate, terminate, modify, or cancel, or require any notice or consent
(other than notices and consents specified in Section 3.3 of the Disclosure
Schedule) under any Contractual Obligation to which the Seller and/or any of its
Subsidiaries is subject or by which any of them is bound or to which any of the
Acquired Assets is subject (or result in the imposition of any Lien upon any of
the Acquired Assets), except for such conflicts, breaches, defaults,
accelerations or such rights to accelerate, terminate, modify or cancel, or any
failure to observe any such notice or consent requirements which has not had and
would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a
Material Adverse Effect. Other than in connection or in compliance with the
provisions of the Xxxx-Xxxxx-Xxxxxx Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as
amended (the "HSR Act"), and the Procedure Order and the Approval Order, or as
set forth in Section 3.3 of the Disclosure Schedule, neither the Seller nor any
of its Subsidiaries needs to give any notice to, make any filing with, or obtain
any authorization, consent, waiver or approval of, any government or
governmental agency in order for such Persons to consummate the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement (including the assignments and assumptions
referred to in Section 2).
3.4. Brokers' Fees. Neither the Seller nor any of its Subsidiaries has any
Liability to pay any fees or commissions to any broker, finder, investment bank,
financial advisor or agent with respect to the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement for which the Buyer or any of its Affiliates is or could become liable
or obligated.
-24-
3.5. Assets.
(a) Title to Assets. The Seller and each of its Subsidiaries have good
and valid title to or (in the case of property held under lease or other
Contractual Obligation) a valid and subsisting leasehold interest in or a
legal, valid and enforceable right to use, and, upon obtaining the Approval
Order and subject to the terms and conditions thereof, the power and
authority to sell, transfer and assign to the Buyer (or its designee) the
Acquired Assets owned by it, free and clear of all Liens, other than
Permitted Liens. The Acquired Securities are free and clear of all Liens.
The MEI Interests are free and clear of all Liens, other than the rights of
other equityholders of MEI, Inc. described in Section 5.11. XX Xxxxxx holds
all of its assets, tangible and intangible, free and clear of all Liens
(other than (i) Permitted Liens and (ii) Liens arising pursuant to the DIP
Facility contemplated by Section 5.1(b)(i).
(b) Location of Assets.
(i) Section 3.5(b)(i) of the Disclosure Schedule lists (x)
substantially all addresses and/or locations of any tangible assets in
the possession of the Seller and/or any of its Subsidiaries that are
included in the Acquired Assets (including the location of
substantially all masters, duplicate masters (including foreign
language dubbed or titled versions), sub-masters or other pre-print
elements or similar tangible assets) and (y) the address and/or
location of all material tangible assets in the possession of the
Seller and/or any of its Subsidiaries that are included in the
Acquired Assets (including the location of all material masters,
duplicate masters (including foreign language dubbed or titled
versions), sub-masters or other pre-print elements or similar tangible
assets).
(ii) Section 3.5(b)(ii) of the Disclosure Schedule lists (x)
substantially all addresses and/or locations of any tangible assets in
the possession of any third party that are included in the Acquired
Assets (including the location of substantially all masters, duplicate
masters (including foreign language dubbed or titled versions),
sub-masters or other pre-print elements or similar tangible assets)
and (y) the address and/or location of all material tangible assets in
the possession of any third party that are included in the Acquired
Assets (including the location of all material masters, duplicate
masters (including foreign language dubbed or titled versions),
sub-masters or other pre-print elements or similar tangible assets).
(c) Condition and Storage of Certain Assets. For substantially all
Works and for each material Work, there exist original or duplicate
negatives or other appropriate and customary pre-print elements and
duplicating materials, sound tracks and other materials, owned and
controlled by the Seller and/or one or more of its Subsidiaries and
sufficient to create masters, duplicate masters and sub-masters in a manner
sufficient to conduct the Business. The Seller and/or its Subsidiaries are
storing substantially all Works and each material Work in a manner which in
the exercise of reasonable business judgment is sufficient to preserve such
Works for exploitation in the conduct of the Business. Since December 25,
1999, no master or sub-master embodying any of the Works has suffered any
material damage or been destroyed or misplaced or otherwise
-25-
lost, except for (i) ordinary wear and tear, (ii) instances where that same
has since been replaced, or (iii) instances where the same is capable of
being replaced at a nominal cost not exceeding $10,000 with respect to any
single item or $50,000 in the aggregate.
(d) Equipment and Similar Tangible Assets. The Seller's and its
Subsidiaries' respective buildings, real property, improvements, machinery,
equipment, and other similar material tangible assets are, in the
aggregate, free from material defects (patent and latent), have been
maintained, in the aggregate, in accordance with normal industry practice,
are in good satisfactory operating condition and repair (subject to normal
wear and tear), and are suitable for the purposes for which they are
currently used.
3.6. All Assets Necessary to Conduct Business. The Acquired Assets comprise
all of the assets, properties and rights of every type and description, real,
personal, tangible and intangible (other than the Excluded Assets) held or used
by the Selling Parties in and, in the reasonable opinion of the management of
the Selling Parties, necessary to, the Business as currently conducted.
3.7. Financial Statements; SEC Reports.
(a) Except for (i) the delay in the filing of the 2000 10-K as
contemplated hereby and (ii) the delay in the filing of the Seller's
quarterly report on Form 10-Q for its fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2001,
the Seller has filed all required reports, schedules, forms, statements and
other documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC")
from January 27, 2000 through the Execution Date (collectively, and
specifically including the 2000 10-K, the "SEC Reports"). The Seller has
delivered to the Buyer a stand-alone balance sheet as of the 2000 Fiscal
Year End and an income statement for the fiscal year ended December 30,
2000 for XX Xxxxxx, copies of which are attached hereto as Exhibit F (the
"GB Canada Stand-Alone Financials"). The financial statements contained in
the SEC Reports (or incorporated therein by reference), and the 2000
Audited Financial Statements (collectively, the "Financial Statements"),
were prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the
periods specified therein (except, in the case of the unaudited interim
consolidated financial statements, as may be permitted under Form 10-Q of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")), are
correct and complete in all material respects, present fairly, in all
material respects, the financial condition of the Seller and its
Subsidiaries as of such dates and the results of operations of the Seller
and its Subsidiaries for such periods specified therein and are consistent
with the books and records of the Seller and its Subsidiaries. The
unaudited interim consolidated financial statements should be read in
conjunction with the 2000 Audited Financial Statements contained in the
2000 10-K. The unaudited interim consolidated financial statements were
prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Exchange Act, except
for the inclusion of footnotes. In the opinion of the Seller, the unaudited
interim consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments
(consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair
presentation of the consolidated financial position, results of operations
and cash flows of the Seller and its Subsidiaries, for the periods
indicated. The GB Canada Stand-Alone Financials are unaudited, do not
contain footnotes, and in relation to the 2000 Audited Financial Statements
taken as whole: (i)
-26-
are prepared in accordance with the Seller's historic practice for their
inclusion in the 2000 Audited Financial Statements; (ii) are in accordance
with GAAP; (iii) are fairly presented in all material respects; and (iv)
are consistent with the books and records of the Seller and its
Subsidiaries. The Execution Date Schedule of Liabilities is attached as
Exhibit C-1 and reflects liabilities recorded in the books and records of
the Seller and its Subsidiaries which have been determined in accordance
with the Company's standard practices subject to the adjustments included
in Exhibit C-1. The Closing Date Schedule of Liabilities will be in the
same form as the Execution Date Schedule of Liabilities and it will be
prepared in accordance with the procedures specified in Exhibit E.
(b) On the date of filing thereof, each SEC Report complied in all
material respects with the then applicable requirements of the Exchange Act
and the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and the
rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder (other than with
respect to the failure of the Seller to timely file (i) the 2000 10-K and
(ii) the Seller's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for its fiscal quarter
ending March 31, 2001) and did not contain any untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. None of the
Seller's Subsidiaries is required to file any statements or reports with
the SEC. As of their respective dates, all reports and statements filed by
the Seller with the SEC prior to the Closing Date will comply in all
material respects with the then applicable requirements of the Exchange Act
and the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated
thereunder and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or
omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they
are made, not misleading. The consolidated financial statements of the
Seller to be included in such reports and statements will be prepared in
accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the periods specified
therein and will be correct and complete in all material respects, will
present fairly the financial condition of the Seller and its Subsidiaries
as of such dates and the results of operations of the Seller and its
Subsidiaries for such periods and will be consistent with the books and
records of the Seller and its Subsidiaries.
3.8. Indebtedness; Guarantees.
(a) Except as set forth in the Financial Statements or in Section
3.8(a) of the Disclosure Schedule, none of the Selling Parties has any
outstanding Indebtedness other than Indebtedness owing solely to one or
more of the Selling Parties. Except in connection with the Indenture, the
Revolver and Term Facility, and the DIP Facility contemplated by Section
5.1(b)(i) and except as set forth on Section 3.8(a) of the Disclosure
Schedule, none of the Selling Parties has any outstanding Guarantees in
favor of any other Person (other than Guarantees in favor of one or more of
the Selling Parties or of XX Xxxxxx) or is otherwise liable for any
Indebtedness of any other Person (other than one or more of the Selling
Parties or of GB Canada).
(b) XX Xxxxxx has no outstanding Indebtedness or any outstanding
Guarantee in favor any other Person, except for Indebtedness arising under
the DIP Facility as contemplated by Section 5.1(b)(i), Indebtedness arising
under the CIBC Facility,
-27-
Indebtedness and/or Guarantees in connection with forbearances granted
under the Revolver and Term Facility and Indebtedness owing solely to one
or more of the Selling Parties (together with any additional such
Indebtedness incurred from and after the Execution Date in compliance with
Section 5.1(b)) and for Guarantees solely in favor of one or more of the
Selling Parties as set forth on Section 3.8(b) of the Disclosure Schedule.
As of the Execution Date, neither MEI, Inc. nor 8 Candles Productions has
any outstanding Indebtedness or any outstanding Guarantee in favor any
Person.
3.9. Absence of Changes. Since the 2000 Fiscal Year End, and except as
disclosed in the SEC Reports or in Section 3.9 of the Disclosure Schedule or as
specifically required in this Agreement, the Seller and its Subsidiaries have
conducted the Business only in the Ordinary Course of Business and there has not
been:
(a) any change, event or circumstance which has had or would
reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a
Material Adverse Effect;
(b) any sale, lease, transfer, or assignment of any of the assets,
tangible or intangible, of the Seller and/or any of its Subsidiaries (other
than (i) sales of inventory in the Ordinary Course of Business, (ii) sales
or other transfers of obsolete inventory in amounts and on terms consistent
with past practice of the Seller and its Subsidiaries, or (iii) transfers
of assets solely among the Selling Parties or among the Selling Parties and
XX Xxxxxx);
(c) any capital expenditure by the Seller and/or any of its
Subsidiaries involving more than $75,000 singly or $200,000 in the
aggregate;
(d) any cancellation, compromise, waiver, or release by the Seller
and/or any of its Subsidiaries of any material right or material claim or
Indebtedness;
(e) any material change with respect to the cash management, payment
of accounts payable or Liabilities, billing, or collection policies or
practices of the Seller and/or any of its Subsidiaries;
(f) any material change in prompt payment or pre-payment rebates,
most-favored pricing or other price protections or similar programs of the
Seller and/or any of its Subsidiaries;
(g) at any time prior to the Execution Date, any threat or
notification (in writing or, to the Knowledge of the Seller and its
Subsidiaries, orally) by or other indication that one or more material
licensors, distributors, customers or suppliers of the Seller and/or any of
its Subsidiaries that they (i) have terminated or intend to terminate their
respective business relationships (or have modified or intend to modify
such relationships) with the Seller and/or any of its Subsidiaries in a
manner which is materially less favorable, in the aggregate, to the Seller
and its Subsidiaries than on the 2000 Fiscal Year End, or (ii) have not
agreed to, or will not agree to, do business with the Buyer after the
Closing on terms and subject to conditions at least as favorable, in the
aggregate, to the Buyer as provided to the Seller and/or one or more of its
Subsidiaries on the 2000 Fiscal Year End;
-28-
(h) any damage, impairment, destruction or loss (whether or not
covered by insurance) to any property of the Seller and/or any of its
Subsidiaries involving more than $50,000 singly or $100,000 in the
aggregate;
(i) except as may be required by Law, any modification or change in
the application of GAAP from the manner in which it was applied in the 2000
Audited Financial Statements;
(j) any change in the bonus target amounts or changes in the sales
targets, earnings targets or other criteria for achievement or vesting of
bonus payment rights under any employment agreements or bonus plans or
arrangements of the Seller and/or any of its Subsidiaries;
(k) any declaration or payment of any dividends or distributions on
any class of the Seller's capital stock;
(l) any purchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement by the
Seller of its capital stock of any class, or other return of capital or
distribution of any assets to its stockholders as such;
(m) any purchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement by the
Seller or any of its Subsidiaries, or any election by the Seller or any of
its Subsidiaries to pay cash interest on or in respect of, any notes issued
pursuant to or in connection with the Indenture;
(n) any issuance of any equity security or amendment of any term or
provision of any equity security by GB Canada;
(o) any acquisition by the Seller or any of its Subsidiaries of any
securities of or other interests in any other Person;
(p) any increase in compensation or payment of any bonus or other
compensation to any senior officer of the Seller or any of its
Subsidiaries, except for normal salary payments in accordance with the
normal payroll practices of the Seller;
(q) any assumption or other transfer of any Retained Liability from
any of the Selling Parties to any of GB Canada, MEI, Inc. and/or 8 Candles
Productions; or
(r) any commitment by the Seller and/or any of its Subsidiaries to do
any of the foregoing.
3.10. Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities. Neither the Seller nor any of its
Subsidiaries has any material Liabilities, except for (i) Liabilities in
existence at the 2000 Fiscal Year End that are set forth on the face of the Most
Recent Audited Balance Sheet or in the notes thereto, (ii) with respect to the
Selling Parties, Liabilities in existence at the 2000 Fiscal Year End that
constitute contingent Liabilities arising in the Ordinary Course of Business
(and not resulting from, arising out of, or relating to any breach of contract,
breach of warranty, tort, infringement, or violation of any Laws) under the
Licenses, the Acquired Contracts, the Acquired Leases, the
-29-
Acquired Employee Benefit Plans, Acquired Permits, Assumed Taxes, deferred
compensation arrangements to the extent such deferred compensation arrangements
are identified in Section 2.3(b) of the Disclosure Schedule, and/or the Acquired
Insurance but that are not required in accordance with GAAP to be disclosed in a
consolidated balance sheet of the Seller and its Subsidiaries including the
notes thereto, (iii) with respect to XX Xxxxxx, Liabilities in existence at the
2000 Fiscal Year End that constitute contingent Liabilities arising in the
Ordinary Course of Business (and not resulting from, arising out of, or relating
to any breach of contract, breach of warranty, tort, infringement, or violation
of any Laws), and that do not exceed $250,000 in the aggregate, (iv) Liabilities
which have arisen after the 2000 Fiscal Year End in the Ordinary Course of
Business (none of which Liabilities results from, arises out of, relates to, is
in the nature of, or was caused by any breach of contract, breach of warranty,
tort, infringement, or violation of any Laws), (v) Liabilities set forth in
Section 3.10 of the Disclosure Schedule (vi) Liabilities created subsequent to
the Execution Date in compliance with Section 5.1(b) and (vii) other Liabilities
that constitute Retained Liabilities.
3.11. Legal and Other Compliance. Except as set forth in Section 3.11 of
the Disclosure Schedule, the Seller and each of its Subsidiaries and any of
their predecessors has conducted its business in compliance in all material
respects with all applicable Laws and, except as disclosed in the SEC Reports,
since April 1, 1998 no action, suit, proceeding, hearing, investigation, charge,
complaint, claim, demand, or notice has been filed or commenced against any of
them alleging any failure so to comply which, individually or in the aggregate,
has had or would be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Neither the ownership nor use of any properties of the Seller and/or any of its
Subsidiaries nor the conduct of any of their respective businesses conflicts
with the rights of any other Person or, violates, or with the giving of notice
or the passage of time or both will violate, conflict with or result in a
default, right to accelerate or loss of rights under, any terms or provisions of
any of their charter or bylaws or any Lien or Contractual Obligation, or of any
Law to which the Seller and/or any of its Subsidiaries by which any of them may
be bound or affected, except where any such conflict or violation has not had
and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate,
a Material Adverse Effect.
3.12. Taxes. Except as set forth in Section 3.12 of the Disclosure
Schedule:
(a) The Seller and each of its Subsidiaries has filed on a timely
basis all Tax Returns relating to Assumed Taxes that it was required to
file. All such Tax Returns were correct and complete in all respects. All
Assumed Taxes owed by the Seller and/or any of its Subsidiaries that are
currently due and payable (whether or not shown on such Tax Returns) have
been paid. Neither the Seller nor any of its Subsidiaries currently is the
beneficiary of any extension of time within which to file any Tax Return
relating to Assumed Taxes. No claim has ever been made by an authority in a
jurisdiction where the Seller and/or any of its Subsidiaries do not file
Tax Returns with respect to Assumed Taxes that the Seller and/or any of its
Subsidiaries may be subject to taxation by that jurisdiction. There are no
Liens (other than Permitted Liens and Liens that will be removed or
discharged by order of the Bankruptcy Court on or before the Closing) on
any of the Acquired Assets of the Seller and/or any of its Subsidiaries
that arose in connection with any failure (or alleged failure) to pay any
Tax.
-30-
(b) GB Canada has filed on a timely basis all Tax Returns for Income
Taxes that it was required to file. All such Tax Returns were correct and
complete in all respects. All Income Taxes owed by GB Canada that are
currently due and payable (whether or not shown on such Tax Returns) have
been paid. XX Xxxxxx is not the beneficiary of any extension of time within
which to file any Tax Return for Income Taxes. No claim has ever been made
by an authority in a jurisdiction where XX Xxxxxx does not file Tax Returns
that XX Xxxxxx may be subject to taxation by that jurisdiction. There are
no Liens (other than Permitted Liens and Liens that will be removed or
discharged by order of the Bankruptcy Court on or before the Closing) on
any of the assets of XX Xxxxxx that arose in connection with any failure
(or alleged failure) to pay any Tax.
(c) The Seller and each of its Subsidiaries have withheld and paid all
Assumed Taxes required to have been withheld and paid in connection with
amounts paid or owing to any employee, independent contractor, creditor,
stockholder, or other third party.
(d) There is no dispute, audit, investigation, proceeding or claim
concerning any Liability with respect to Assumed Taxes of the Seller and/or
any of its Subsidiaries and/or the Income Taxes of GB Canada either (i)
claimed or raised by any authority in writing or (ii) as to which the
Seller and/or any of its Subsidiaries has Knowledge based upon contact with
any agent of such authority. No state, local or foreign Tax Returns
relating to Assumed Taxes filed with respect to the Seller and/or any of
its Subsidiaries or relating to the Income Taxes of GB Canada have been
audited.
(e) Neither the Seller nor any of its Subsidiaries has waived any
statute of limitations in respect of Assumed Taxes or the Income Taxes of
XX Xxxxxx or agreed to any extension of time with respect to an assessment
or deficiency for Assumed Taxes or the Income Taxes of GB Canada, other
than waivers which have expired.
(f) Neither the Seller nor any of its Subsidiaries is or has been a
party to any Tax allocation or sharing agreement related to Assumed Taxes
or, in the case of XX Xxxxxx, any such allocation or sharing agreement
related to Income Taxes. The Seller does not have any Liability for the
Assumed Taxes of any Person other than its Subsidiaries. GB Canada does not
have any Liability for the Income Taxes of any other Person and does not
have any Liability for the Assumed Taxes of any other Person other than any
Selling Party.
(g) Neither the Seller nor any of its Subsidiaries is obligated to
make any payments, or is a party to any Contractual Obligation that is
being assumed by the Buyer and that, under certain circumstances, could
require any payments to be made that will not be deductible under Code
Section 280G.
(h) The unpaid Income Taxes of GB Canada (i) did not, as of the date
of the balance sheet included in the XX Xxxxxx Stand-alone Financials,
exceed the reserve for Liability for Income Tax (rather than any reserve
for deferred Income Taxes established to reflect timing differences between
book and Tax income) set forth on the face of such
-31-
balance sheet (rather than in any notes thereto) and (ii) do not exceed
that reserve as adjusted for the passage of time through the Closing Date
in accordance with the past custom and practice of the Seller and its
Subsidiaries in filing their Income Tax Returns.
3.13. Real Property.
(a) Owned Real Property. Section 3.13(a)(i) of the Disclosure Schedule
lists each parcel of real property that the Seller and/or any of its
Subsidiaries owns (the "Owned Real Property"). Except as set forth in
Section 3.13(a)(ii) of the Disclosure Schedule, with respect to each such
parcel of Owned Real Property: (i) except pursuant to the Indenture and the
Revolver and Term Facility and except for Permitted Liens, neither the
Seller nor any of its Subsidiaries has assigned, transferred, conveyed,
mortgaged, deeded in trust, or encumbered any interest in all or any
portion of such parcel, (ii) to the Knowledge of the Seller and its
Subsidiaries, the buildings and improvements thereon have not been operated
and maintained, and are not presently, in violation of applicable Laws
(including Laws concerning setback and zoning, do not encroach on any
easement, and are not located outside the boundary lines of such parcel as
described in the deed therefor, in any manner that has had or would
reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the value, use
or occupancy thereof, (iii) the Seller and/or one or more of its
Subsidiaries has received all approvals of governmental authorities
(including licenses and permits) required in connection with the ownership
or operation of such parcel and the buildings and improvements thereon as
presently used and occupied and has operated in compliance with the terms
of such approvals, (iv) such parcel is presently supplied with utilities
and other services necessary for the operation of such facility; (v) there
are no pending or, to the Knowledge of the Seller and its Subsidiaries,
threatened condemnation proceedings or actions relating to such parcel; and
(vi) there are no Contractual Obligations granting any party the right to
purchase, lease, use or occupy such parcel or any portion thereof or any
buildings or improvements thereon and there are no Persons (other than the
Seller and its Subsidiaries) in possession or control of such parcel,
buildings or improvements.
(b) Leased Real Property. Section 3.13(b) of the Disclosure Schedule
lists all real property leased or subleased to the Seller and/or any of its
Subsidiaries, the term of the applicable lease or sublease, the rent
payable thereunder and the location of the applicable premises. With
respect to each lease and sublease listed in Section 3.13(b) of the
Disclosure Schedule: (i) except pursuant to the Indenture and the Revolver
and Term Facility and except for Permitted Liens, neither the Seller nor
any of its Subsidiaries has assigned, subleased, transferred, conveyed,
mortgaged, deeded in trust, or encumbered any interest in all or any
portion of any leasehold or subleasehold; (ii) except as disclosed in the
SEC Reports, there are no disputes or forbearance programs in effect as to
any lease or sublease; (iii) all buildings and improvements leased or
subleased thereunder have not been operated and maintained, and are not
presently, in violation of applicable Laws in any manner that has had or
would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the
value, use or occupancy thereof as presently operated (provided that this
clause (iii) shall apply only to the leased or subleased premises and shall
not be deemed to be a representation or warranty in any manner regarding
the building (other than the leased or subleased premises) in which the
leased or subleased premises are
-32-
located, or the land upon which such building is located, or of any matter
for which the applicable landlord or sublandlord is responsible pursuant to
the applicable lease or sublease), (iv) the Seller and/or one or more of
its Subsidiaries has received all approvals of governmental authorities
(including licenses and permits) required in connection with the operation
thereof and has operated in compliance with the terms of such approvals;
(v) there are no pending or, to the Knowledge of the Seller and its
Subsidiaries, threatened condemnation proceedings or actions relating to
the property subject to such lease or sublease; and (vi) all buildings and
improvements leased or subleased thereunder are presently supplied with
utilities and other services necessary for the operation of said buildings
and improvements as presently operated.
3.14. Intellectual Property.
(a) Schedules Complete. Except as set forth in Section 3.14(a) of the
Disclosure Schedule:
(i) Sections 2.1(b) (Works), 2.1(c) (Marks), 2.1(d) (Copyrights),
2.1(l) (Patents) of the Disclosure Schedule contain accurate lists of,
respectively, substantially all, and each material (w) Entertainment
Properties and Publishing Properties, in each case, owned by any
Selling Party, (x) registered trademarks and service marks and
applications therefor in which any of the Selling Parties owns any
interest, (y) copyright registrations and applications therefor in
which any of the Selling Parties owns any interest, and (z) patents
and applications therefor in which any of the Selling Parties owns any
interest;
(ii) For each Xxxx listed in Section 2.1(c) of the Disclosure
Schedule, such section of the Disclosure Schedule sets forth (where
applicable) the registration number and date for each Xxxx for which a
registration has been issued by, and the application serial number and
date for each pending application for registration in, the United
States Patent and Trademark Office or similar office in any foreign
jurisdiction;
(iii) For each Copyright listed in Section 2.1(d) of the
Disclosure Schedule, such section of the Disclosure Schedule sets
forth (where applicable), the registration number and date, and the
renewal date (if any) and number for such Copyright for which a
registration has been issued by, and the application serial number and
date for each pending application in, the United States Copyright
Office, and such Copyright is subsisting in countries outside the
United States that are members of the Berne Convention or Universal
Copyright Convention; and
(iv) For each Patent listed in Section 2.1(l) of the Disclosure
Schedule, such section of the Disclosure Schedule sets forth (where
applicable) the number and issue date for each Patent that has been
issued by, and the application serial number and date for each pending
application in, the United States Patent and Trademark Office or
similar office in any foreign jurisdiction.
-33-
(b) Status of Rights.
(i) Except as set forth in Section 3.14(b)(i) of the Disclosure
Schedule, the Seller and its Subsidiaries are unaware of any facts
that would invalidate or render unenforceable any registrations
identified in Sections 2.1(c) (Marks), 2.1(d) (Copyrights), or 2.1(l)
(Patents) of the Disclosure Schedule, and all applications to register
set forth in Sections 2.1(c), 2.1(d) and 2.1(l) of the Disclosure
Schedule contain no known material defects and have been filed and
prosecuted in good faith. Except as set forth in Section 3.14(b)(i) of
the Disclosure Schedule, with respect to each of the Works covered by
the copyright registrations and applications set forth on Section
2.1(d) of the Disclosure Schedule, such Work is not in, and has not
been contributed to, the public domain in (x) any jurisdiction in
which a registration or application with respect to such Work is set
forth on Section 2.1(d) of the Disclosure Schedule or (y) to the
Knowledge of the Seller and its Subsidiaries, any other jurisdiction
that is member of the Berne Convention or Universal Copyright
Convention.
(ii) For each of the Marks, Copyrights and Patents owned in whole
or in part by the Seller and/or one or more of its Subsidiaries,
Section 3.14(b)(ii) of the Disclosure Schedule sets forth any other
Person who owns any interest therein.
(c) Maintenance of Rights. The Seller and its Subsidiaries have taken
commercially reasonable steps necessary to establish, perfect and maintain
their respective rights and interests in and to the Works, the Marks, the
Copyrights, the Patents and the Trade Secrets, except to the extent that
the Selling Parties in the exercise of reasonable business judgment have
not established, perfected or maintained one or more Marks, Copyrights,
Patents or Trade Secrets that are not material to the Business, either
individually or taken together with other Marks, Copyrights, Patents or
Trade Secrets.
(d) Music Rights. To the Knowledge of the Seller and its Subsidiaries,
all public performance and synchronization rights to the musical
compositions recorded or otherwise included in the Works and the Acquired
Assets are: (i) owned or controlled by the Seller and/or one or more of its
Subsidiaries and licensed to the American Society of Composers, Authors and
Publishers, Broadcast Music Inc., the Society of European Stage Authors and
Composers, or similar organizations in other jurisdictions such as the
Performing Rights Society Limited; (ii) in the public domain throughout the
world; or (iii) duly licensed to the Seller and/or one or more of its
Subsidiaries. All public performance, mechanical, synchronization and other
royalties, fees and payments due and payable in respect of the musical
compositions recorded or otherwise included in the Works and the Acquired
Assets have been paid in full, other than non-payments as to which adequate
reserves have been taken in the 2000 Audited Financial Statements or which,
individually or in the aggregate, have not had, or would not reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(e) Profit Participations. Section 3.14(e) of the Disclosure Schedule
sets forth all Contractual Obligations under which any third party is
entitled to share revenues
-34-
(including gross revenues or revenues adjusted in respect of expenses or
otherwise adjusted) or profits relating to any of the Entertainment
Properties or any other Acquired Asset. No union, collective bargaining,
guild or other Contractual Obligation prevents the Seller and/or any of its
Subsidiaries from exploiting any of the Entertainment Properties or
Publishing Properties in their current forms.
(f) Infringements; Other Violations. Except as disclosed in the SEC
Reports or in Section 3.14(f)(i) of the Disclosure Schedule, the Works, the
Marks, the Patents, the Trade Secrets, and the works covered by the Marks,
Copyrights and Patents do not themselves, through prior exploitation by the
Seller and/or any of its Subsidiaries, and will not by their transfer to
the Buyer (or its designee): (i) to the Knowledge of the Seller and its
Subsidiaries violate any applicable Law; (ii) to the Knowledge of the
Seller and its Subsidiaries infringe the rights, including Intellectual
Property Rights, of any third party; (iii) breach any Contractual
Obligation to any third party in any material respect; or (iv) violate any
duty to any third party in any material respect, including duties
established by tort, such as libel, slander, defamation, invasion of
privacy, misappropriation of identity or biography, or other similar
duties, however denominated, throughout the world. Except as disclosed in
the SEC Reports or in Section 3.14(f)(ii) of the Disclosure Schedule,
neither the Seller nor any of its Subsidiaries has Knowledge of any written
claims by any third party asserting that such party's rights have been
infringed, or that the Seller and/or any of its Subsidiaries has breached
any written Contractual Obligation or failed to fulfill a material duty, by
or through their commercial exploitation of the Works, the Marks,
Copyrights, the Patents and the Trade Secrets.
(g) Contributors. Except as disclosed in Section 3.14(g) of the
Disclosure Schedule, (i) all employees, consultants, contractors,
developers, and other persons who contributed (collectively,
"Contributors") in any manner to the creation of the Works, the Marks, the
Copyrights, the Patents and the Trade Secrets have by operation of Law or
separate written agreement assigned all of their rights, title and
interests (including all Intellectual Property Rights) that may be assigned
consistent with Law to the Works, the Marks, the Copyrights, the Patents
and the Trade Secrets, to the Seller and/or one or more of its
Subsidiaries, except in such instances as have not had and would not
reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a
Material Adverse Effect, and (ii) to the Knowledge of the Seller and its
Subsidiaries, no Contributor provided a contribution to any Work, Xxxx,
Copyright, Patent or Trade Secret in violation of any Law, in breach of any
Contractual Obligation or other duty, or in a manner that infringes the
rights, including Intellectual Property Rights, of any third party.
3.15. Contracts.
(a) Except as listed as exhibits to the 2000 10-K or set forth in
Section 3.15(a) of the Disclosure Schedule or in Sections 2.1(e)
(Licenses), 2.1(g) (Acquired Contracts), 2.1(h) (Acquired Leases), 2.1(i)
(Acquired Permits), 2.1(j) (Acquired Employee Benefit Plans), 2.1(k)
(Acquired Insurance), 3.1(b) and 3.22 (Affiliate Transactions) of the
Disclosure Schedule (and other than (x) any accounts or notes receivable
arising in the Ordinary Course of Business or (y) any Contractual
Obligations solely among the Selling Parties) and any Indebtedness listed
on Section 2.3(a) of the Disclosure Schedule or (z)
-35-
any confidentiality agreements being transferred pursuant to Section
2.1(m), there are no Contractual Obligations of the types described below
to which the Seller and/or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which
any of their assets, tangible or intangible, is bound (in each case other
than any Contractual Obligations entered into from and after the Execution
Date in accordance with Section 5.1(b) or with the Buyer's written
consent):
(i) any Contractual Obligation to sell or otherwise dispose of a
material portion of any Acquired Assets;
(ii) any Contractual Obligation for the lease of personal
property to or from any Person providing for lease payments in excess
of $25,000 in any year;
(iii) any Contractual Obligation for the purchase or sale of raw
materials, supplies, products, or other personal property, or for the
furnishing or receipt of services, the performance of which will
extend over a period of more than one year or involve consideration in
excess of $100,000 or any group of such Contractual Obligations that,
when taken individually, involve consideration of less than $100,000
but that, when taken as a group, involve consideration in excess of
$300,000, excluding, in each case, any Contractual Obligations for the
pre-production, production, manufacture, shipping or display of books
in the Ordinary Course of Business;
(iv) any Contractual Obligation concerning a partnership or joint
venture;
(v) any Contractual Obligation under which the Seller and/or any
of its Subsidiaries has created, incurred, assumed, or guaranteed any
Indebtedness in excess of $150,000, or any group of Contractual
Obligations that, when taken individually, involve Indebtedness of
less than $150,000 but that, when taken as a group, involve
Indebtedness in excess of $150,000;
(vi) any Contractual Obligation under which the Seller and/or any
of its Subsidiaries has imposed a Lien (other than Permitted Liens and
Liens that will be removed or discharged by order of the Bankruptcy
Court on or before the Closing) on any of its assets, tangible or
intangible;
(vii) any collective bargaining agreement;
(viii) any Contractual Obligation providing for the employment of
or a consultancy arrangement with any individual on a full-time,
part-time, consulting or other basis which may extend over a period of
more than one year and will by its terms require payments in excess of
$25,000 in any year or providing any severance, retirement or
post-retirement compensation or benefits;
(ix) any Contractual Obligation concerning non-competition or
otherwise containing or purporting to contain any restrictions on the
ability of the Seller and/or any of its Subsidiaries to engage in any
business or to operate in any geographic area;
-36-
(x) any Contractual Obligation under which the consequences of a
default or termination has had or would reasonably be expected to have
a Material Adverse Effect; or
(xi) any other Contractual Obligation the performance of which
involves consideration to or from the Seller and/or any of its
Subsidiaries in excess of $75,000 in any fiscal year of the Seller.
(b) The Seller has delivered or made available to the Buyer a correct
and complete copy of each written Contractual Obligation listed in Sections
2.1(e) (Licenses), 2.1(g) (Acquired Contracts), 2.1(h) (Acquired Leases),
2.1(i) (Acquired Permits), 2.1(j) (Acquired Employee Benefit Plans), 2.1(k)
(Acquired Insurance), 3.22 (Affiliate Transactions) and 3.15(a) of the
Disclosure Schedule (each as amended to date).
(c) Except as disclosed in Section 3.15(c) of the Disclosure Schedule,
with respect to each Contractual Obligation listed in Sections 2.1(e)
(Licenses), 2.1(g) (Acquired Contracts), 2.1(h) (Acquired Leases), 2.1(i)
(Acquired Permits), 2.1(j) (Acquired Employee Benefit Plan), 2.1(k)
(Acquired Insurance) and 3.15(a) of the Disclosure Schedule: (i) such
Contractual Obligation is legal, binding, enforceable, and in full force
and effect; (ii) subject to obtaining the Approval Order and the consents
disclosed in Section 3.3 of the Disclosure Schedule, such Contractual
Obligation will continue to be legal, binding, enforceable, and in full
force and effect, on substantially the same terms following the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby (including the
assignments and assumptions referred to in Section 2); (iii) subject to
obtaining the Approval Order, neither the Seller nor any of its
Subsidiaries is in breach or default and no event has occurred which with
notice or lapse of time would constitute a breach or default by the Seller
and/or any of its Subsidiaries, or permit termination, modification, or
acceleration, under such Contractual Obligation, except for any such
breach, default or event that has not had and would not reasonably be
expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse
Effect; (iv) to the Knowledge of the Seller and its Subsidiaries, since
April 1, 1998 and prior to the Execution Date, no party has repudiated in
writing any provision of such Contractual Obligation that is material; and
(v) to the Knowledge of the Seller and its Subsidiaries no other Person is
in breach of such Contractual Obligation (other than breaches which have
not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in
the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect).
(d) Section 3.15(d) of the Disclosure Schedule lists each License that
accounted for more than $75,000 of expense or revenue to or for the Selling
Parties in 2000.
3.16. Notes and Accounts Receivable. The notes and accounts receivable of
the Seller and its Subsidiaries are reflected on their books and records in
accordance with GAAP, are valid receivables and arose from bona fide
transactions in the Ordinary Course of Business, including sales in the Ordinary
Course of Business which allow customers the full right of return and are
subject to setoffs or counterclaims arising from sales returns, discounts,
markdowns, co-marketing allowances, and other similar deductions. The Seller has
delivered to the Buyer as
-37-
Section 3.16(a) of the Disclosure Schedule the form of its standard terms and
conditions of sale as of the Execution Date, which have not changed in any
material respect from the terms and conditions in effect for sales recorded as
of December 30, 2000. The Seller has delivered to the Buyer as Section 3.16(b)
of the Disclosure Schedule an aged, true and correct list of all accounts
receivable as of March 30, 2001. The notes and accounts receivable reflected
thereon are collectible, except as reflected in the allowances for doubtful
accounts and for sales discounts and returns identified in Note 8 to the Most
Recent Audited Balance Sheet as adjusted through the Closing for the passage of
time in accordance with GAAP and past practice and custom of the Seller and its
Subsidiaries.
3.17. Insurance and Risk Management.
(a) Section 3.17(a) of the Disclosure Schedule sets forth the
following information with respect to each insurance policy (including
policies providing property, casualty, liability, and workers' compensation
coverage and bond and surety arrangements) to which the Seller and/or any
of its Subsidiaries are or have been a party, a named insured, or otherwise
the beneficiary of coverage from the period from December 25, 1999 to the
Execution Date: (i) the name, address, and telephone number of the agent;
(ii) the name of the insurer, the name of the policyholder, and the name of
each covered insured; (iii) the policy number, the period of coverage and
premium; and (iv) a description of any retrospective premium adjustments or
other loss-sensitive premium arrangements.
(b) Section 3.17(b) of the Disclosure Schedule describes any
self-insurance arrangements affecting the Seller and/or any of its
Subsidiaries.
(c) All insurance policies (taken together) of the Seller and its
Subsidiaries provide adequate coverage for all normal risks incident to the
Seller's and its Subsidiaries' assets, properties and business operations.
3.18. Litigation. Except as disclosed in the SEC Reports or in Section 3.18
of the Disclosure Schedule, (a) as of the Execution Date there are no judicial
or administrative actions, claims, suits, proceedings or investigations pending
or, to the Knowledge of the Seller and its Subsidiaries, threatened, that have
had or would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a
Material Adverse Effect and (b) there are no judicial or administrative actions,
claims, suits, proceedings or investigations pending or, to the Knowledge of the
Seller and its Subsidiaries, threatened, that question the validity of this
Agreement or of any action taken or to be taken pursuant to or in connection
with the provisions of, or that seeks rescission of or to enjoin the
consummation of, this Agreement. Except as disclosed in the SEC Reports or in
Section 3.18 of the Disclosure Schedule, as of the Execution Date, there are no
judgments, orders, decrees, citations, fines or penalties heretofore assessed
against the Seller and/or any of its Subsidiaries affecting the Acquired Assets
or Assumed Liabilities, except for those that have not had and would not
reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material
Adverse Effect. The Seller has provided or made available to the Buyer correct
and complete copies of all audit inquiry response letters prepared to date by
its counsel for the Seller's auditors in connection with the audit of its
financial statements for the 2000 Fiscal Year End and any such correspondence to
date since the date of the last such audit. The Seller will
-38-
promptly provide to the Buyer correct and complete copies of any such letters
prepared or correspondence received between the Execution Date and the Closing
Date.
3.19. Employees. Since January 27, 2000, neither the Seller nor any of its
Subsidiaries has experienced any labor disputes or work stoppage due to labor
disagreements. The Seller and each of its Subsidiaries are in compliance in all
material respects with all applicable Laws respecting employment and employment
practices, terms and conditions of employment and wages and hours and have not
been and are not engaged in any unfair labor practice as defined in the National
Labor Relations Act, as amended, the violation of which has had or would be
reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. There is no unfair labor
practice charge or complaint against the Seller and/or any of its Subsidiaries
pending or threatened before the National Labor Relations Board. No grievance
which might have an adverse effect on the Seller and its Subsidiaries and their
respective operations or prospects nor any arbitration proceeding arising out of
or under any collective bargaining agreement is pending and no pending claims
therefore have been made. No collective bargaining agreement of the Seller
and/or any of its Subsidiaries restricts (to a material degree) any of them from
relocating, closing or subcontracting any of its operations. With respect to
current employees, neither Seller nor any of its Subsidiaries (i) has any
collective bargaining relationship or duty to bargain with any Labor
Organization (as such term is defined in Section 2(5) of the National Labor
Relations Act, as amended) or (ii) has recognized any Labor Organization as the
collective bargaining representative of any of its current employees. None of
the current employees of the Seller and/or any of its Subsidiaries is
represented by a labor union, nor is there, to the Knowledge of the Seller and
its Subsidiaries as of the Execution Date, any organization effort currently
being made or threatened by or on behalf of any labor union to organize any
current employees of the Seller and/or any of its Subsidiaries. No Selling Party
is a party to any collective bargaining agreement with respect to its current
employees. No Selling Party has any Liability arising under any collective
bargaining agreement other than for post-retirement medical and/or life
insurance benefits arising solely under collective bargaining agreements
identified on Section 3.19 of the Disclosure Schedule.
3.20. Employee Benefits.
(a) Seller Plans. Section 3.20(a) of the Disclosure Schedule sets
forth all Employee Benefit Plans (i) which are maintained by the Seller
and/or any of its Subsidiaries or by any member of their Related Group, or
to which the Seller and/or any of its Subsidiaries or any member of their
Related Group contribute or are required to contribute or with respect to
which the Seller and/or any of its Subsidiaries or any member of their
Related Group have or may have any Liability or become subject to a Lien
under ERISA or the Code, and (ii) which benefit any present or former
employee, director or independent contractor (or any dependent or
beneficiary thereof) of the Seller and/or any of its Subsidiaries or any
member of their Related Group (a "Seller Plan"). For purposes of this
Agreement, the term "Employee Benefit Plan" means any plan, program,
agreement, policy or arrangement (a "plan"), whether or not reduced to
writing, that is: (w) a welfare benefit plan within the meaning of Section
3(1) of ERISA (a "Welfare Plan"); (x) a pension benefit plan within the
meaning of Section 3(2) of ERISA; (y) a stock bonus, stock purchase, stock
option, restricted stock, stock appreciation right or similar equity-based
plan; or (z) any other deferred-compensation, retirement, welfare-
-39-
benefit, bonus, incentive or fringe benefit plan, whether for a single
individual or a group of individuals.
(b) Documentation. With respect to each Seller Plan, the Seller has
provided to the Buyer accurate, current and complete copies of each of the
following: (1) where the plan has been reduced to writing, the plan
document together with all amendments; (2) where the plan has not been
reduced to writing, a written summary of all material plan terms; (3) where
applicable, copies of any trust agreements, custodial agreements, insurance
policies, administration agreements and similar agreements, and investment
management or investment advisory agreements; (4) copies of any summary
plan descriptions, employee handbooks or similar employee communications;
(5) in the case of any plan that is intended to be qualified under Section
401(a) of the Code, a copy of the most recent determination letter from the
IRS and any related correspondence; (6) in the case of any funding
arrangement intended to qualify as a VEBA under Section 501(c)(9) of the
Code, a copy of the IRS letter determining that it so qualifies; (7) in the
case of any plan for which Forms 5500 are required to be filed, a copy of
the three most recently filed Forms 5500, with schedules and financial
audits, if required, attached; and (8) copies of any notices, letters or
other correspondence from the United States Internal Revenue Service or the
United States Department of Labor relating to the plan.
(c) Defined Benefit Pension Plans. Except as specified in Section
3.20(c) of the Disclosure Schedule, neither the Seller and/or any of its
Subsidiaries nor any member of their Related Group have ever maintained or
been required to contribute to any Employee Benefit Plan subject to Title
IV of ERISA. Section 3.20(c) of the Disclosure Schedule specifies which of
the Employee Benefit Plans listed in such Section 3.20(c) are
"multiemployer plans" as that term is defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of
ERISA.
(d) Plan Qualification; Plan Administration; Certain Taxes and
Penalties. Each Seller Plan that is intended to be qualified under Section
401(a) of the Code is so qualified. Each Seller Plan, including any
associated trust or fund, has been administered in accordance with its
terms and with applicable law. Nothing has occurred with respect to any
Seller Plan that has subjected or could subject any employee of the Seller
and/or any of its Subsidiaries or any member of their Related Group to a
Tax under Sections 4973 or 4975 of the Code or to a penalty or Liability
under Section 502 of ERISA.
(e) All Contributions And Premiums Paid. Except as specified in
Section 3.20(e) of the Disclosure Schedule, all required contributions to
and premium payments (including PBGC premiums) on account of each Seller
Plan have been made. No event has occurred that has resulted in or could
subject the Seller and/or any of its Subsidiaries or any member of their
Related Group to a Tax under Section 4971 of the Code or the assets of any
of them to a Lien under Section 412(n) of the Code. Except to the extent
set forth in Section 3.20(e) of the Disclosure Schedule, no Employee
Benefit Plan is or within the last three calendar years has been the
subject of examination by a government agency or a participant in a
government sponsored amnesty, voluntary compliance or similar program.
-40-
(f) Plans Adequately Funded, Etc. Except as described in Section
3.20(f) of the Disclosure Schedule, in the case of each Seller Plan subject
to Title IV of ERISA, other than any such plan that is a "multiemployer
plan" within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, (i) the current
fair market value of the assets of the plan equals or exceeds the present
value of all benefit liabilities under the plan determined on a plan
termination basis, and (ii) no "reportable event" (as that term is defined
in Section 4043 of ERISA), other than any such event for which the
reporting requirements have been waived by regulation, has occurred. No
event has occurred that could subject the Seller and/or any of its
Subsidiaries or any member of their Related Group to Liability under
Sections 4062, 4063 or 4064 of ERISA. Neither the Seller and/or any of its
Subsidiaries nor any member of their Related Group under Part 1 of Subtitle
E of Title IV of ERISA is subject to any Liability on account of any
"multiemployer plan" within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.
(g) Claims. Section 3.20(g) of the Disclosure Schedule sets forth each
and every pending or, to the Knowledge of the Seller and its Subsidiaries
or a member of their Related Group, threatened lawsuit, claim or other
controversy relating to a Seller Plan, other than claims for benefits in
the normal course.
(h) Retiree Benefits; Certain Welfare Plans. Except as described in
Section 3.20(h) of the Disclosure Schedule and other than as required under
Section 601 et seq. of ERISA, no Seller Plan that is a Welfare Plan
provides benefits or coverage following retirement or other termination of
employment. Nothing has occurred with respect to any Seller Plan that is an
Employee Benefit Plan described in Section 4980B of the Code that could
subject the Seller and/or any of its Subsidiaries or any member of their
Related Group to a Tax under Section 4980B of the Code. Each welfare
benefit trust or fund that constitutes or is associated with a Seller Plan
and that is intended to be exempt from federal income tax under Section
501(c)(9) of the Code is so exempt.
(i) No Restrictions On Termination. Except to the extent set forth in
Section 3.20(i) of the Disclosure Schedule, no provision of any Seller
Plan, other than any such plan that is a "multiemployer plan" within the
meaning of Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, would result in any limitation on
the ability of the Seller and/or any of its Subsidiaries to terminate the
plan with respect to employees of the Seller and/or any of its Subsidiaries
without material Liability.
(j) Unfunded Liabilities. The Financial Statements of the Seller and
its Subsidiaries accurately reflect the present value (as accounted for in
accordance with GAAP) of all unfunded liabilities of all the Employee
Benefit Plans of the Seller and its Subsidiaries and all members of their
Related Group as of the relevant dates specified therein.
(k) Non-U.S. Plans. Without limiting the applicability of other
provisions of this Section 3.20, with respect to any plan, agreement,
policy or arrangement that it is maintained outside of the United States
(the "Foreign Plans"), except as set forth in Section 3.20(k) of the
Disclosure Schedule, each such plan has been administered in accordance
with its terms and complies with the requirements prescribed by any Laws in
-41-
all respects. With respect to the Foreign Plans, the Seller has provided to
the Buyer accurate, current and complete copies of each of the following:
(1) where the plan has been reduced to writing, the plan document together
with all amendments; (2) where the plan has not been reduced to writing, a
written summary of all material plan terms; (3) where applicable, copies of
any trust agreements, custodial agreements, insurance policies,
administration and similar agreements; and (4) copies of summary plan
descriptions, if any. All required contributions to and premium payments on
account of each Foreign Plan required to be made prior to and as of the
Execution Date have been made or accrued and all required contributions to
and premium payments on account of each Foreign Plan required to be made
through the Closing shall be made on or before the Closing Date. Except as
set forth in Section 3.20(k) of the Disclosure Schedule, there are no
unfunded Liabilities under any Foreign Plan. Except as set forth in Section
3.20(k) of the Disclosure Schedule, there are no severance or other
benefits required by Law or the terms of any Foreign Plan to employees
covered thereby by reason of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.
3.21. Environment, Health, and Safety. Except as disclosed in the SEC
Reports or set forth in Section 3.21 of the Disclosure Schedule, (a) the Seller
and each of its Subsidiaries is and has been within the last four years in
material compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws; (b) there has been
no release or threatened release of any Hazardous Substance in amounts requiring
clean-up on, upon, into or from any site currently or heretofore owned, leased
or operated by the Seller and/or any of its Subsidiaries; (c) none of the Seller
or its Subsidiaries has received written notice since May 1, 1994 that Hazardous
Substances generated by the Seller and/or any of its Subsidiaries that have been
disposed of or come to rest at any site that has been included in the National
Priority List or analogous state list; (d) there are no underground Hazardous
Substance storage tanks and no polychlorinated biphenyls ("PCBs") or
PCB-containing equipment owned or operated by the Seller and/or any of its
Subsidiaries, and no hazardous waste as defined by the Resource Conservation and
Recovery Act, as amended, stored on, any site owned or operated by the Seller
and/or any of its Subsidiaries, except for such underground tanks or equipment
or waste in compliance with applicable Environmental Laws; and (e) the Seller
and each of its Subsidiaries has made available to the Buyer true and correct
copies of all material environmental records, reports, notifications,
certificates of need, permits, pending permit applications, correspondence,
engineering studies, and environmental studies or assessments in their
possession or control. Section 3.21 of the Disclosure Schedule lists (i) all
real property leased, owned or operated by the Seller and/or any of its
Subsidiaries at any time since January 1, 1990 that would have been required to
be included in any of the Seller's annual reports on Form 10-K and, to the
Knowledge of the Seller and its Subsidiaries, all other such real property
leased, owned or operated since such date and (ii) to the Seller's Knowledge,
all real property leased, owned or operated by the Seller and/or any of its
Subsidiaries from January 1, 1965 until December 31, 1989. For purposes of this
Section 3.21 only, all references to the "Seller" and to "its Subsidiaries" are
intended to include any and all other entities to which the Seller and/or any of
its Subsidiaries may be considered a successor under applicable Environmental
Laws.
3.22. Affiliate Transactions. Except as set forth in Section 3.22 of the
Disclosure Schedule or as disclosed in the SEC Reports, neither the Seller nor
any of its Subsidiaries is or at any time since January 27, 2000 has been a
party to or bound by any Contractual Obligation with
-42-
any of their respective Affiliates. For the purpose of this Section 3.22 only,
all references to "Affiliates" shall include MEI, Inc. and 8 Candles
Productions.
3.23. Disclosure. The representations and warranties contained in this
Section 3 (including the Disclosure Schedule) and the Seller Bring-Down
Certificate furnished or to be furnished by the Seller and its Subsidiaries to
the Buyer pursuant to the terms hereof do not contain and will not contain any
untrue statement of a material fact or, taken as a whole, omit to state any
material fact necessary in order to make the statements and information
contained in this Section 3 not misleading.
4. Representations and Warranties of the Buyer.
-------------------------------------------
The Buyer represents and warrants to the Selling Parties that:
4.1. Organization of the Buyer. The Buyer is a corporation duly organized,
validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware.
4.2. Authority for Agreement. The Buyer has the power and authority to
execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder. All
corporate actions to be taken by or on the part of the Buyer to authorize and
permit the execution and delivery by it of this Agreement and the documents
required to be executed and delivered by it pursuant hereto, the performance by
it of its respective obligations hereunder and thereunder, and the consummation
by it of the transactions contemplated herein and therein, have been duly and
properly taken. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Buyer
and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Buyer,
enforceable against the Buyer in accordance with its terms and conditions.
4.3. Noncontravention. Neither the execution and the delivery of this
Agreement, nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby
(including the assignments and assumptions referred to in Section 2), will (i)
violate any Law to which the Buyer is subject, (ii) violate any provision of the
charter or bylaws or other similar governing organizational documents of the
Buyer, or (iii) conflict with, result in a breach of, constitute a default
under, result in the acceleration of, create in any party the right to
accelerate, terminate, modify, or cancel, or require any notice or consent
(other than notices and consents which shall have been made or obtained prior to
the Closing Date) under any contract or agreement to which the Buyer is subject
or by which either of them is bound, except where such conflict, breach or other
matter would not detract in any material respect from their ability to perform
their respective obligations under this Agreement. Other than in connection or
in compliance with the provisions of the HSR Act, the Buyer does not need to
give any notice to, make any filing with, or obtain any authorization, consent,
waiver or approval of any government or governmental agency in order to
consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (including the
assignments and assumptions referred to in Section 2).
4.4. Brokers' Fees. The Buyer has no Liability to pay any fees or
commissions to any broker, finder, investment bank, financial advisor or agent
with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement for which the
Seller and/or any of its Subsidiaries or their Affiliates are or could become
liable or obligated.
-43-
4.5. Commitment Letters. The Buyer has provided to the Selling Parties true
and complete copies of the Commitment Letters, and the same are in full force
and effect in accordance with their respective terms and conditions. Such
Commitment Letters are binding on the Buyer and all other parties thereto in
accordance with their respective terms. Upon receipt of the financing
contemplated in such Commitment Letters, the Buyer will have sufficient funds
available to satisfy the obligation of the Buyer to pay the Purchase Price
hereunder.
4.6. Capitalization of Buyer.
(a) In connection with the consummation of the transactions under this
Agreement, DIC Entertainment Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation
("Holdings"), shall receive equity investments of at least $20 million.
Holdings is the indirect owner of 100% of the capital stock of the Buyer;
and the proceeds of such investments will be contributed to the Buyer (or
its designee pursuant to Section 11.3, as the case may be) to pay a portion
of the Cash Purchase Price.
(b) As of immediately prior to the Closing and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby and after giving effect to the financing
contemplated by the Commitment Letters, the Buyer (together with its
designee (if any) pursuant to Section 11.3, as the case may be): (i) will
have equity of at least $20 million, (ii) will have incurred senior secured
debt as contemplated by the Commitment Letters of not more than $45 million
for payment of the Purchase Price and of fees and expenses incurred in
connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and (iii) will have
incurred senior subordinated debt of not more than $20 million for payment
of the Purchase Price.
(c) Section 4.6(c) of the Disclosure Schedule sets forth a pro forma
statement of debt and equity accounts setting forth the Buyer's good faith
best estimate, as of the Execution Date, of the debt and equity
capitalization of Holdings as of immediately prior to the Closing Date,
including the Buyer's good faith best estimate, as of the Execution Date,
of the breakdown of debt and equity (assuming funding of the debt financing
contemplated by the Commitment Letters) taking into account the incremental
equity and debt financing for the acquisition of the entertainment business
and the publishing business of the Selling Parties, respectively; it being
understood that up to $20 million of the amount reflected as incremental
equity in Section 4.6(c) of the Disclosure Schedule may be replaced with
incremental senior subordinated debt.
5. Conduct and Transactions Prior to Closing.
------------------------------------------
5.1. Operation of Business.
(a) Except as set forth in Section 5.1(a) of the Disclosure Schedule
and except with the written consent of the Buyer and subject to the Selling
Parties acting as debtors in possession pursuant to sections 1107 and 1108
of the Bankruptcy Code, neither the Seller nor any of its Subsidiaries will
engage in any practice, take any action, or enter into any transaction
outside the Ordinary Course of Business except as specifically required by
the terms of this Agreement. The Seller and each of its Subsidiaries shall
use
-44-
commercially reasonable efforts to (i) keep available to the Buyer the
services of their respective present officers, employees, agents and
independent contractors, (ii) to keep their respective business, properties
and prospects substantially intact and to maintain the value of the
Business as a going concern, including the goodwill of their employees and
other Persons having business relations with the Seller and/or any of its
Subsidiaries, and (iii) cooperate with the Buyer in assisting it to obtain
the financing of the portion of the Purchase Price to be financed by third
party lenders.
(b) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, except with the
written consent of the Buyer, neither the Seller nor any of its
Subsidiaries shall:
(i) incur any Indebtedness other than (A) Retained Liabilities,
(B) borrowings under a DIP Facility necessary to provide working
capital for the operation of the Business during the Case in the
Ordinary Course of Business, or (C) Indebtedness under the CIBC
Facility;
(ii) enter into any Contractual Obligation to sell, pledge,
assign, voluntarily encumber, or otherwise dispose of any of the
Acquired Assets (other than (w) sales or other transfers of inventory
in the Ordinary Course of Business, (x) sales or other transfers of
obsolete inventory in amounts and on terms consistent with the current
practice of the Selling Parties as in effect from January 1, 2001 and
(y) transfers of Acquired Assets solely among the Selling Parties or
transfer of inventory in the Ordinary Course of Business among the
Selling Parties and GB Canada) and (z) transactions permitted under
clauses (vi), (xi) and (xiii) of this Section 5.1(b);
(iii) enter into, amend, modify or waive any term or condition
of, any transaction with Affiliates (other than reimbursement of
reasonable out-of-pocket business and travel expenses of current
officers and directors in the Ordinary Course of Business in an
aggregate amount of less than $20,000, with respect to the Seller's
Chief Executive Officer, and $10,000 with respect to each other such
Person, or except as permitted by clauses (iv) and (vii) below) or,
other than on an arm's length basis, any other transaction;
(iv) increase any compensation or increase or adopt any benefit
arrangement (including any change of control agreements, stay-pay
agreements, special retention bonus, sales bonus or other special
compensation, severance or golden parachute arrangements) for any
employee, consultant, officer or director (other than, (A) with
respect to officers, increases in salary required under the terms of
the Contractual Obligations listed in Section 3.22 of the Disclosure
Schedule and (B) with respect to other employees, increases in salary
that individually do not exceed $7,500 per annum and in the aggregate
do not exceed $200,000 per annum);
(v) except as required by Law, amend, modify, waive any term or
condition of, or make any determination under, any provision of any
Seller Plan or make any change in the bonus target amounts or changes
in the sales targets,
-45-
earnings targets or other criteria for achievement or vesting of bonus
payment rights under any employment agreements or bonus plans or
arrangements of the Seller and/or any of its Subsidiaries;
(vi) issue or otherwise make any Guarantee of any obligation of
any other Person (other than any Guarantee issued by the Selling
Parties and XX Xxxxxx under the DIP Facility contemplated by Section
5.1(b)(i) , any Guarantee issued by XX Xxxxxx in connection with any
forbearances granted under the Revolver and Term Facility and any
Guarantee that constitutes a Retained Liability);
(vii) make any loans to any Person other than reasonable business
expense advances to officers, directors and employees made in the
Ordinary Course of Business and loans by one or more of the Selling
Parties solely to one or more of the Selling Parties;
(viii) enter into, amend, modify or waive in any material respect
any term or condition of any Contractual Obligation concerning
employment with any senior officer of the Seller or any of its
Subsidiaries;
(ix) initiate or settle any lawsuit, arbitration or similar
proceeding (other than the Case and any that could not be reasonably
expected to involve consideration payable by or to any Selling Party
in excess of $10,000), provided, however, that compliance with this
subsection shall in no event constitute a breach of Section 3.9(d) or
5.1(a)(ii);
(x) purchase or otherwise acquire a material portion of the
assets of any Person;
(xi) authorize or enter into any licensing arrangement (y)
involving guaranteed consideration payable by or to the Seller or any
of its Subsidiaries in excess of $100,000 per annum per licensing
arrangement or (z) that constitutes an amendment or renewal of an
existing license that, prior to such amendment or renewal, involved
guaranteed consideration payable to the Seller or any of its
Subsidiaries in excess of $100,000 per annum during any fiscal year
during the last five (5) years;
(xii) authorize or make any direct manufacture or pre-production
expenditure exceeding $150,000 in the aggregate, except for
expenditures made in the Ordinary Course of Business for the
pre-production, production, manufacturing, shipping or display of
books;
(xiii) create any Lien upon any of the Acquired Assets (including
any Lien upon any assets, tangible or intangible, of XX Xxxxxx other
than Permitted Liens or Liens created pursuant to the DIP Facility
contemplated by Section 5.1(b)(i)), or Liens created in connection
with any forbearances granted under the Revolver and Term Facility;
-46-
(xiv) pledge to make or make any charitable contribution;
(xv) with respect to XX Xxxxxx, from and after the date of the
Closing Date Schedule of Liabilities, issue any check, letter of
credit or similar instrument or initiate any wire transfers from XX
Xxxxxx;
(xvi) during the five days preceding the Closing Date, issue any
check in an amount in excess of $1,000 without the Buyer's prior
consent, not to be unreasonably withheld;
(xvii) pay any amount to any third party in respect of any
Liability which would not constitute an Assumed Liability if in
existence as of the Closing before such amount is due; or
(xviii) otherwise engage in any practice, take any action, or
enter into any transaction of the sort described in Section 3.9
(Absence of Changes) (other than clauses (a), (g) or (h) thereof, or
clause (r) thereof as such clause applies to clauses (a), (g) or (h)).
(c) The Seller and its Subsidiaries shall take all actions necessary
to cause the Lease Deposit to be in place in full at the Closing Date.
5.2. Access and Information.
(a) The Selling Parties will permit representatives of DEC and the
Buyer and the representatives of their investors and lenders, upon
reasonable advance notice, to have full access during normal business hours
to all premises, properties, personnel, books, records (including Tax
records), Contractual Obligations, and documents of or pertaining to the
Seller and/or any of its Subsidiaries, the Business, the Acquired Assets or
the Assumed Liabilities that are in the possession or control of the Seller
and/or any of its Subsidiaries or their representatives or agents; provided
that, (i) the Buyer shall use commercially reasonable efforts to minimize
disruption to the Selling Parties, (ii) the Buyer shall advise any such
investor or lender of the terms and conditions of the Confidentiality
Agreement between the Seller and Xxxx Capital, Inc. dated September 2000,
and (iii) the access granted pursuant to this Section 5.2 shall not include
the right to conduct any Phase II or other invasive environmental sampling
or testing without the advance written consent of the Seller (which shall
not be unreasonably withheld or delayed) and indemnification, insurance
coverage and other protections reasonably acceptable to the Seller with
respect to such sampling or testing activity.
(b) In addition, from and after the Execution Date until the Closing
Date the Selling Parties will provide (i) full and complete copies of the
check register of the Seller and each of its Subsidiaries, (ii) for any
wire transfer initiated by the Seller and/or any of its Subsidiaries, the
amount, the date, the recipient and purpose thereof, and (iii) for any cash
payment greater than $1,000 the amount, the date, the recipient and purpose
thereof; provided that the Selling Parties shall be obligated to provide
the information described in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) above on (x) each
Wednesday from and after the Execution Date with respect to the seven-day
period ended on the immediately preceding Friday and
-47-
(y) the Closing Date with respect to the period from and after the last
period covered by clause (x) above until the Closing Date.
(c) The Seller shall inform the Buyer of, and provide the Buyer with
true and complete copies of, all information (other than with respect to
the Seller's negotiation strategies in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement or any Alternative Transaction) provided
directly or indirectly by the Seller and/or any of its Subsidiaries or any
of their respective Affiliates (excluding for these purposes any Person who
is deemed an Affiliate hereunder solely as a result of the ownership of
securities but not excluding any such Person that is acting at the direct
or indirect request or direction of any Selling Party), advisors or
representatives to any bank, lender or source of funding or financing, any
holder of its securities, any Competing Bidder or any committee of
creditors, prior to or contemporaneously with the provision of such
information to any such other Person; provided, however, that if such
information has previously been provided to the Buyer, the Seller shall
notify the Buyer in writing, in advance, that such information will be
provided to such other Person; provided, further, that if the Buyer informs
the Seller that it desires to receive such information (or copy thereof),
the Seller shall promptly (and in no event later than two business days
after the Buyer has so informed the Seller) provide a true and complete
copy of such information to the Buyer.
(d) No later than five business days prior to the date that is
scheduled for the Closing, the Seller shall deliver to the Buyer and its
legal, accounting and financial representatives the Closing Date Schedule
of Liabilities and a statement setting forth an estimate of the amounts to
be set forth in the Certificate of Certain Cash Amounts. Thereafter,
pursuant to (in the case of clause (A) below only) Exhibits C-1 and E, on
the day immediately preceding the Closing Date, the Seller (in consultation
with the Buyer and its legal, accounting and financial representatives)
will make adjustments to (A) the items listed in such Closing Date Schedule
of Liabilities for the purpose of calculating the Excess Accrued
Liabilities, and (B) the estimates set forth in the statement (referred to
in the immediately preceding sentence) estimating the amounts to be set
forth in the Certificate of Certain Cash Amounts, on a current basis, and
will prepare and deliver to the Buyer and its legal, accounting and
financial representatives a statement setting forth in reasonable detail
such adjustments to the items referred to in clauses (A) and (B), all
pursuant to procedures mutually satisfactory to the Buyer and the Seller.
The Seller expressly agrees to provide the Buyer and its legal, accounting
and financial representatives with access to work papers related to the
preparation of the Execution Date Schedule of Liabilities, the Closing Date
Schedule of Liabilities and the other statements referred to in the
previous sentence and to all books and records that are required to verify
the same.
(e) The Seller shall, at the request of the Buyer, provide the Buyer
with such reasonable information, in the customary format of the lender
under the Buyer's revolving line of credit and in the customary format of
The CIT Group/Business Credit, Inc. ("CIT") (unless a change to either such
format is reasonably requested by the Buyer), as to enable the Buyer to
prepare an availability schedule pursuant to such revolving line of credit
and pursuant to the loan facility to be provided by CIT.
-48-
5.3. Notice of Developments. Each Party will give prompt written notice to
the other Party of any development causing, or which creates a reasonable
likelihood of causing, a breach of any of its own representations and warranties
in Section 3 and Section 4 or an inability of such Party to deliver the closing
bring-down certificate to be delivered by it pursuant to Section 6.1 or Section
6.2, as the case may be. No disclosure by any Party pursuant to this Section
5.3, however, shall be deemed to amend or supplement the Disclosure Schedule or
to prevent or cure any misrepresentations, breach of warranty, or breach of
covenant or to satisfy any closing condition. Neither the covenants contained in
this Section 5.3 nor any remedy for a breach thereof shall survive the Closing.
5.4. Xxxx-Xxxxx-Xxxxxx Cooperation. The Buyer and the Seller and its
Subsidiaries shall cooperate with each other (at their respective sole cost and
expense) to comply with, and provide the information required by, the pre-merger
notification and waiting period rules of the HSR Act, any Federal Trade
Commission regulations, and any provisions or regulations of or relating to the
Xxxxxxx Act. In that connection, the Buyer (or its ultimate parent entity, if
any) and the Seller (or its ultimate parent entity, if any) shall each make its
respective pre-merger notification filing with the Federal Trade Commission no
later than the Friday following the first Wednesday after the Petition Date.
5.5. Bankruptcy Court Action.
(a) Bankruptcy Court Approval of Sale Procedure. Promptly following
the Execution Date (and in no event later than the first business day
following the fifth day after the Execution Date), the Selling Parties
shall commence the Case (the "Petition Date"). Not later than two business
days following the Petition Date, the Selling Parties shall file a motion
(the "Sale Procedure Motion") with the Bankruptcy Court requesting the
entry of an order (the "Procedure Order") in the form attached hereto as
Exhibit G-1 and seek a hearing on such motion to occur not later than 20
days after the Petition Date, such Sale Procedure Motion to be in form and
content reasonably satisfactory to Buyer, authorizing and directing the
Selling Parties to assume this Agreement and setting forth the following
procedures:
(i) fixing the time, date, and location of a hearing (the
"Approval Hearing") to approve consummation of this Agreement by the
Selling Parties;
(ii) establishing a hearing on the Sale Motion not later than 60
days after the Execution Date (all calculated in accordance with
Bankruptcy Rule 9006);
(iii) fixing the time and date of an auction (the "Auction") to
be held at the offices of Xxxxxxx Xxxx & Xxxxxxxxx, 000 Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000-0000, for consideration of qualifying
higher and better offers that may be presented to the Selling Parties;
(iv) approving the Break-Up Fee and the Expense Reimbursement set
forth in Section 9;
-49-
(v) providing that none of the Selling Parties shall entertain or
accept any bid with respect to any Alternative Transaction unless such
bid complies with all of the following requirements that such bid
shall be:
(1) filed with the Bankruptcy Court with a copy received by the
Buyer (at the address for notices provided for in Section 11.9)
at least seven business days prior to the date scheduled for the
commencement of the Approval Hearing;
(2) accompanied by a cash deposit at least equal to $1,000,000
and by a duly executed asset acquisition agreement that is
substantially similar to this Agreement, except that (A) the
bidder shall be substituted for the Buyer, and (B) the proposed
purchase price for all of the Acquired Assets shall be not less
than $5,500,000 greater than the cash portion of the Purchase
Price and shall provide for (I) consideration in the form of
notes on terms no less favorable to the Seller, or (II)
additional consideration in an amount not less than the value of
such notes; without limiting the generality of the foregoing,
such agreement containing such bid shall be for substantially all
of the Acquired Assets and substantially all of the Assumed
Liabilities, shall not include any financing contingency not
accompanied by a commitment letter in form at least as definite
as and from financing sources as reliable and creditworthy as
those providing the Buyer's Commitment Letters, shall not include
any conditions to closing other than those set forth in this
Agreement and shall provide for a closing on the date required by
this Agreement;
(3) made by a bidder that demonstrates that it is (A) financially
able to consummate the transaction contemplated by such bid, (B)
capitalized with net worth higher than or equivalent to the Buyer
or able to provide adequate assurance of future performance with
respect to Contractual Obligations included in the Acquired
Assets, and (C) able to consummate the transaction on the date
and on the terms contemplated by this Agreement; and
(4) expressly made subject to the making by the Selling Parties
of the payments contemplated by Sections 9.1 and 9.2.
(vi) providing that after any initial overbid made pursuant to
clause (v), all further overbids must be made in an open oral auction
held pursuant to clause (iii) and that with respect to any such
further overbid submitted by the Buyer, the consideration offered by
the Buyer shall be deemed to include the full amount of the Break-Up
Fee and Expense Reimbursement potentially payable to the Buyer;
(vii) providing that if any of the Selling Parties shall receive
a bona fide offer from a Person other than Buyer (the "Competing
Bidder") that complies
-50-
with all of the requirements of this Section 5.5(a) (the "Competing
Bid"), then if such sale to the Competing Bidder shall not have been
consummated within five business days of the termination of the 10-day
period for appeals with respect to the order approving such Competing
Bid, then such Competing Bid shall be considered void and shall be
rejected, and (subject to satisfaction of the closing conditions
described in Section 6.1 hereof) the Selling Parties shall consummate
the transaction with the Buyer pursuant to and on the terms of this
Agreement as soon as reasonably possible;
(viii) a superpriority claim for the Break-Up Fee and the Expense
Reimbursement senior to all other administrative claims, including
claims under Section 507(b) of the Bankruptcy Code, and a lien
(granted pursuant to Section 364 of the Bankruptcy Code) on all assets
of the Seller and its Subsidiaries, such lien to be first priority
with respect to any unencumbered assets and senior to any other liens
on encumbered assets; provided, however, that such claim and lien may
be junior to claims and liens in respect of the Revolver and Term
Facility or any DIP Facility permitted by Section 5.1(b)(i) and shall
have the priority provided in the Procedure Order with respect to any
liens securing Indebtedness arising under the Indenture; and
(ix) providing that any Competing Bidder shall maintain the
confidentiality of the side letter referenced in Section 6.1(d) of the
Disclosure Schedule, including the contents and substance thereof.
Following the filing of the Sale Procedure Motion, the Selling Parties
shall use reasonable efforts to obtain entry of the Procedure Order.
(b) Bankruptcy Court's Approval of Sale. Promptly following the
Execution Date, and contemporaneously with the filing of the Sale Procedure
Motion, the Selling Parties shall file a motion with the Bankruptcy Court
(the "Sale Motion") requesting entry of an order (the "Approval Order") in
the form attached hereto as Exhibit G-2, said Sale Motion to be in form and
content reasonably satisfactory to the Buyer. Said Approval Order shall (i)
approve the sale of the Acquired Assets to the Buyer on the terms and
conditions set forth in this Agreement and authorize the Selling Parties to
proceed with this transaction, (ii) include a specific finding that the
Buyer is a good faith purchaser of the Acquired Assets, (iii) state that
the sale of the Acquired Assets to the Buyer shall be free and clear of all
Liens (except only for Assumed Liabilities as and to the extent expressly
provided in this Agreement), (iv) provide for a waiver of the stays
contemplated by Bankruptcy Rules 6004(g) and 6006(e), (v) approve the
Seller's assumption and assignment to the Buyer pursuant to Section 365 of
the Bankruptcy Code of all of the Contractual Obligations included in the
Acquired Assets, find void and unenforceable any provision which prohibits,
restricts or conditions the assignment of any of the Contractual
Obligations included in the Acquired Assets, and find that the time to
assume such Contractual Obligations has not expired and that such
Contractual Obligations are in full force and effect and free from default
(other than for cure amounts), (vi) waive and release all preference or
avoidance claims and actions of the Seller and its Subsidiaries against any
Person, pursuant to Sections 544, 545, 547, 548,
-51-
549, 550 and 553(b) of the Bankruptcy Code, and (vii) shall not impose upon
the Buyer any financial obligation to provide "adequate assurances" (as
such term is used in Section 365 of the Bankruptcy Code) to any Person in
respect of any Contractual Obligation assigned pursuant to this Agreement.
Following the filing of the Sale Motion, the Selling Parties shall use
reasonable efforts to obtain entry of the Approval Order.
(c) Cash-Collateral and Lien Carve-Outs. Except with respect to the
DIP Facility as contemplated by Section 5.1(b)(i) and any reasonable
adequate protection for the lenders under the Revolver and Term Facility,
the Seller and its Subsidiaries shall not grant any post-petition lien or
superpriority claim, whether pursuant to Bankruptcy Code Sections 361, 363,
364, 507(b) or otherwise, unless such grant includes a "carve-out" or
subordination of such lien or superpriority claim to the claims of the
Buyer under this Agreement for the Break-Up Fee and the Expense
Reimbursement. The Selling Parties shall not enter into any DIP Facility or
cash collateral stipulation which contains liens and/or claims inconsistent
with the priority of Liens and claims described in the Procedure Order or
which would have the effect of causing the Liens and/or claims granted to
the Buyer under the Procedure Order to be junior and subordinate to the
Liens and claims of the trustee under the Indenture.
5.6. Exclusivity. For the periods from February 5, 2001 through April 17,
2001, and from June 1, 2001 through the date of entry by the Bankruptcy Court of
the Procedure Order, the Seller and its Subsidiaries will not, and will cause
their respective Affiliates (excluding for these purposes any Person who is
deemed an Affiliate hereunder solely as a result of the ownership of securities
but not excluding any such Person that is acting at the direct or indirect
request or direction of any Selling Party), representatives and financial
advisors (including S-A Capital, LLC) to not, directly or indirectly, solicit or
initiate discussions, transactions or agreements with, or encourage, or provide
any information to, any corporation, partnership or other Person or group (other
than the Buyer and its Affiliates and their respective designees and
representatives) concerning any Alternative Transaction, and the Seller will
promptly inform the Buyer of, and provide the Buyer with, any information
regarding any written offers or written expressions of interest involving the
Seller and/or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective assets;
provided, however, that nothing contained in this Section 5.6 shall prohibit the
officers and directors of the Selling Parties from discussing any Competing Bid
received from an unaffiliated third party with each other and with the Selling
Parties' legal and financial representatives; and, provided, further, that after
entry of the Procedure Order (including Bankruptcy Court approval of the
Break-up Fee, Expense Reimbursement and other provisions of Section 9), the
Seller and its Subsidiaries shall be permitted to take any of the actions
otherwise proscribed by the terms of this Section 5.6 preceding this proviso and
the prior proviso if, prior to taking any such actions (other than advising
prospective bidders as to the existence of the Auction), the Seller and its
Subsidiaries and such prospective bidder shall have signed a confidentiality
agreement either (i) on terms substantially identical to the terms of the
confidentiality agreement previously entered into between the Seller and DEC in
order to discuss potential transactions or (ii) with the written consent of the
Buyer (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) in such other
form reasonably acceptable to the Seller, provided that in no event shall such
confidentiality agreement fail to contain provisions prohibiting the use of such
information by such prospective bidder for purposes other than evaluation of an
Alternative Transaction or fail to contain provisions permitting assignment of
all rights of the Seller in and to such confidentiality
-52-
agreement to the Buyer. The Seller shall inform the Buyer of the entry into any
contract by the Seller and/or any of its Subsidiaries with respect to any
Alternative Transaction no later than the day after such entry into such
contract.
5.7. Good Faith. Each of the Parties will use commercially reasonable
efforts to take all actions and to do all other things necessary, proper, or
advisable (including, to the extent within such Party's control, such of the
same as necessary to cause the conditions to the other Party's obligations
hereunder to be timely satisfied) in order to consummate and make effective the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement in accordance with its terms.
5.8. Public Announcements. The Seller and its Subsidiaries, on the one
hand, and the Buyer, on the other, will consult with each other before, and
obtain the other party's consent with respect to, issuing any press release,
making any filing with the SEC (other than the filing of the 2000 10-K as
provided herein) or otherwise making any public statements with respect to this
Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, and shall not issue any such
press release, make any such SEC filing or make any such public statement prior
to such consultation and consent, except to the extent that compliance with Law
requires a party to issue a press release or public announcement or make an SEC
filing without such consultation and consent; provided that the press release
attached hereto as Exhibit J is expressly agreed to among the Parties. Any
consent required pursuant to the preceding sentence shall not be unreasonably
withheld or delayed.
5.9. Future SEC Filings. The Seller will (a) file the 2000 10-K with the
SEC no later than the fourth business day after the Execution Date and (b)
deliver to the Buyer as soon as they become available true and complete copies
of any report or statement filed by it with the SEC subsequent to the Execution
Date.
5.10. 2000 Audited Financial Statements. The 2000 Audited Financial
Statements shall be released to the Seller and a copy thereof (including the
auditor's report included therein duly executed by Ernst & Young LLP) delivered
to the Buyer no later than the fourth business day after the Execution Date.
5.11. MEI, Inc.
(a) The Seller shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the
consent of each of the other equityholders of MEI, Inc. to the transfer the
MEI Interests to the Buyer and a waiver of any right of such equityholders
to purchase or otherwise acquire any MEI Interests from the appropriate
Selling Party.
(b) To the extent the Seller has complied with the terms of paragraph
(a) of this Section 5.11 and has failed to obtain the waivers and consents
referred to in such paragraph (a), notwithstanding anything in this
Agreement to the contrary, the Selling Parties shall be deemed not to have
breached any representation, warranty or covenant with respect to the MEI
Interests solely by virtue of the failure to effect the formal transfer of
the MEI Interests to the Buyer at the Closing; provided that the Buyer
shall acquire at Closing (x) any and all rights of any Selling Party in and
to the MEI Interests which may be transferred absent such waivers and
consents, including the right to obtain
-53-
such waivers and consents in the name of the Selling Parties, and (y) any
and all rights of any Selling Party in, to and under the Contractual
Obligations of the Selling Parties related to the MEI Interests and set
forth in Section 2.1(g) of the Disclosure Schedule; and provided, further,
that the applicable Selling Parties shall execute and deliver such
documents and instruments of transfer as are reasonably necessary and take
such other actions as may be reasonably requested to transfer the MEI
Interests to the Buyer after the Closing in the event that such waivers and
consents are obtained after the Closing.
5.12. Certain Artech Matters.
(a) On or about May 14, 2001, the Selling Parties will remove certain
inventory located at Artech's facility in Sturtevant, Wisconsin the
("Artech Inventory"). Prior to Closing, the Selling Parties, and after
Closing, the Buyer, each agree to keep track of its respective usage of the
Artech Inventory pursuant to a mutually satisfactory tracking mechanism to
be developed by the Buyer and the Selling Parties. Prior to Closing, the
Selling Parties shall utilize the Artech Inventory (i) only after the
implementation of such a tracking mechanism and (ii) only to the extent
that they have previously utilized all owned inventory reasonably
comparable to the Artech Inventory. After Closing, the Buyer may, in its
sole discretion, utilize the Artech Inventory, provided that the Buyer
agrees that it will utilize the Artech Inventory (which is not damaged and
is suitable for use by the Buyer in the manufacturing of books) prior to
purchasing substantially identical inventory from any third party. The
Buyer agrees to pay the Selling Parties for all Artech Inventory that has
been utilized in the manufacture of books, whether before or after the
Closing, at the Selling Parties' actual cost, 180 days after the Closing
Date.
(b) From and after the Closing Date, the Buyer will provide reasonable
assistance to the agents and other representatives of the bankruptcy estate
of the Selling Parties (the "Estate") in connection with negotiating the
release of the Artech Escrowed Funds and other related matters. Such
assistance shall be at the expense of the Estate. In the event that the
Buyer receives any Artech Assets or the proceeds thereof, including any
Artech Escrowed Funds, the Buyer shall hold the same in trust for the
benefit of the Estate and shall promptly deliver such assets and proceeds
to the Estate, net of the amount of any expenses related to the recovery of
such assets and proceeds not paid by the Estate pursuant to the immediately
preceding sentence.
(c) The Buyer agrees that it shall not settle any dispute relating to
any Artech Assets or Artech Liabilities without the prior written consent
of a duly authorized representative of the Estate.
(d) It is further understood that as part of the resolution of any
dispute relating to the Artech Escrow, the Estate may agree or otherwise
find itself the owner of certain inventory located at the Artech facility
that are not Artech Assets in that such inventory was never owned by the
Selling Parties. The Estate will have the right to sell such inventory, and
the Buyer will have the option, in its sole discretion, to negotiate with
the Estate for the purchase of such inventory, but neither party will be
under any obligation to the other in this regard. Notwithstanding anything
to the contrary in this paragraph (d),
-54-
all finished goods and all branded inventory are deemed to constitute
"Artech Inventory" and will not be governed by the terms of this paragraph
(d).
(e) The Selling Parties shall not agree to any amendment or
modification or grant any waiver with respect to any provision contained in
any Artech Agreement, which amendment or waiver would have an adverse
effect on the Buyer. The Seller shall notify the Buyer promptly following
the time that any Selling Party becomes aware of any breach by Artech under
the Printing Services Agreement dated as of November 29, 1999, between
Artech and the Seller (the "PSA") or the Artech Asset Purchase Agreement.
The Selling Parties shall strictly enforce the terms of the PSA and the
Artech Asset Purchase Agreement to the extent the failure to do so could
reasonably be expected to have an adverse effect on the Buyer or any of its
Affiliates. The Buyer shall have the right to pursue or to direct one or
more of the Selling Parties to pursue any claim based upon any such breach.
The Selling Parties shall take such actions as may be reasonably requested
by the Buyer in the pursuit of any such claim and, except as may be
prohibited by applicable Law, shall make available to the Buyer all
witnesses, pertinent records, materials and information in the Selling
Parties' possession or under the Selling Parties' control relating thereto.
The Selling Parties will not consent to the entry of any judgment or enter
into any settlement with respect to any such claim without the prior
written consent of the Buyer. The Buyer shall promptly reimburse the
Selling Parties for all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses
incurred by them in connection with actions taken at the request of the
Buyer in pursuit of any such claim or otherwise required by this Section
5.12(d).
5.13. Buyer Notes. The Buyer shall cause the issuer of the Buyer Notes to
take all actions necessary to authorize the execution, delivery and performance
thereof.
5.14. Certain Payments.
(a) Prior to the Closing Date, the Selling Parties shall pay, promptly
when due, all amounts in respect of royalties and profit participations
owing under each of the Contractual Obligations listed in the exhibit to
the agreement referred to in Section 6.1(d) of the Disclosure Schedule;
provided, however, that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary,
the Seller's failure to fulfill this covenant (i) shall not, in and of
itself, serve as a basis for the Buyer terminating this Agreement and (ii)
shall entitle the Buyer to the reduction in the Cash Purchase Price
described in subsection (bb) of the definition thereof.
(b) Prior to the Closing Date, the Selling Parties shall pay, promptly
when due, all amounts owed in respect of the Force Pictures Agreements;
provided, however, that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary,
the Seller's failure to fulfill this covenant (i) shall not, in and of
itself, serve as a basis for the Buyer terminating this Agreement and (ii)
shall entitle the Buyer to the reduction in the Cash Purchase Price
described in subsection (bb) of the definition thereof.
(c) Nothing contained in this Section 5.14 shall be construed to limit
the obligations of the Selling Parties in Section 5.1.
-55-
(d) Insurance Matters. With respect to each of the insurance policies
listed in Section 3.17 of the Disclosure Schedule that do not constitute
Acquired Insurance (other than the insurance policies covering director and
officer liability), the Seller shall, upon request by the Buyer, use
commercially reasonable efforts to have the Buyer named as an additional
named insured, to the extent permitted under the terms of such policies.
6. Conditions to Obligation to Close.
----------------------------------
6.1. Conditions to Obligations of the Buyer. The obligations of the Buyer
to consummate the transactions to be performed by the Buyer in connection with
the Closing is subject to satisfaction of the following
conditions:
(a) Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties
set forth in Section 3 shall have been be true and correct in all material
respects when made and, except for such representations and warranties as
are expressly made only as of another specified date (each of which shall
be true and correct as of such specified date), shall be true and correct
in all material respects as of the Closing Date.
(b) Performance by the Seller and its Subsidiaries. The Seller and its
Subsidiaries shall have performed and complied in all material respects
with all of their covenants, agreements and obligations hereunder through
the Closing.
(c) No Material Adverse Change. Since the 2000 Fiscal Year End, there
shall not have been any change, circumstance or event which constitutes or
has resulted in, or that would reasonably be expected to result in, a
Material Adverse Effect.
(d) Consents. The Selling Parties shall have procured all of the
approvals, consents and authorizations specified in Section 6.1(d) of the
Disclosure Schedule, in each case in the manner specified in such section
of the Disclosure Schedule. The Noteholders Consent shall not have been
revoked and shall be in full force and effect. The Selling Parties shall
have caused the release of all Liens (other than Permitted Liens) on the
assets of GB Canada.
(e) Absence of Litigation. No action, suit, or proceeding shall be
pending or threatened before any court or quasi-judicial or administrative
agency of any federal, state, local, or foreign jurisdiction that could
reasonably be expected to (i) prevent consummation of any of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (ii) cause any of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement to be rescinded following
consummation, or (iii) have a material adverse effect on the right of the
Buyer to own the Acquired Assets or to operate the Business (and no such
injunction, judgment, order, decree, ruling, or charge shall be in effect).
(f) Absence of Other Legal Prohibition. There shall not be any other
legal restriction that would make consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby illegal or would otherwise have, or be reasonably
likely to have, a Material Adverse Effect.
-56-
(g) Notice of Sale. The Selling Parties shall have served a copy of a
notice of sale of the Acquired Assets to the Buyer and of the assumption
and assignment to the Buyer of the Contractual Obligations included in the
Acquired Assets (which notice shall be approved by the Buyer in advance)
upon (i) to the Knowledge of the Seller and its Subsidiaries all creditors
and all other Persons who are parties in interest in the Case, (ii) to the
Knowledge of the Seller and its Subsidiaries all Persons with Liens with
respect to or other interests in any of the Acquired Assets, (iii) sponsors
and trustees under any Employee Benefit Plan of the Seller and/or any of
its Subsidiaries, (iv) all parties (other than the Seller and/or its
Subsidiaries) to the Contractual Obligations listed in Sections 2.1(e),
2.1(g), 2.1(h), 2.1(i), and 2.1(k) of the Disclosure Schedule, (v) all
other Persons required to receive notice of the sale pursuant to Rule 2002
of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure, and (vi) all other Persons
designated by the Buyer on or before two days after entry of the Procedure
Order. The Selling Parties shall have made publication notice of the
transfer of the Acquired Assets in a form reasonably acceptable to the
Buyer. The Selling Parties shall have filed one or more affidavits or
certificates of such service with the Bankruptcy Court in the Case (the
"Affidavits of Service").
(h) Bankruptcy Court Action. The Bankruptcy Court shall have entered
the Procedure Order in accordance with Section 5.5(a) and all other
provisions of this Agreement, the Bankruptcy Court shall have entered the
Approval Order in accordance with Section 5.5(b) and all other provisions
of this Agreement, the Procedure Order and the Approval Order shall be in a
form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Buyer, and the Approval
Order shall be a final order which has not been reversed, modified,
rescinded, or stayed as of the Closing Date, and either (i) the time to
appeal the Approval Order has expired and the Approval Order is no longer
subject to appeal or further judicial review, or (ii) the Approval Order
makes an express finding that Buyer is a good faith purchaser entitled to
the benefits of Section 363(m) of the Bankruptcy Code, and each party to
the Contractual Obligations listed in the exhibit to the agreement
referenced in Section 6.1(d) of the Disclosure Schedule shall have
consented to the assumption and assignment thereof to the Buyer (or its
designee) under this Agreement (or any objection to the assumption and
assignment thereof to the Buyer (or its designee) has been overruled and
any appeal from the Approval Order relating to such assumption and
assignment is expressly limited solely to the issue of the cure amount
payable with respect to such Contractual Obligation and is not otherwise an
objection to or appeal of the fundamental issue of whether the assumption
and assignment thereof may be made to the Buyer (or its designee) under
this Agreement).
(i) Certified Copies. There shall have been delivered to the Buyer a
certified copy of the Approval Order and of the docket of the Case.
(j) Xxxx-Xxxxx-Xxxxxx. All applicable waiting periods relating to the
HSR Act shall have expired or been terminated and any proceedings that may
have been filed or instituted thereunder shall have been satisfactorily
concluded.
(k) Certificates. The Buyer shall have received a certificate signed
by the Selling Parties to the effect that each of the conditions specified
in Section 6.1(a) through
-57-
(d) inclusive and in Sections 6.1(g), 6.1(o) and 6.1(q) is satisfied in all
respects (the "Seller Bring-Down Certificate").
(l) Employment Agreements. Each of the persons listed in Section
6.1(l) of the Disclosure Schedule shall have executed the applicable
agreement substantially in the form attached as Exhibit I hereto (each, an
"Employment Agreement") and no such listed person shall have terminated or
repudiated the same.
(m) Waiver and Releases. Each of the persons listed in Section 6.1(m)
of the Disclosure Schedule shall have executed a Waiver and Release in the
form attached hereto as Exhibit C-3 and no such person shall have
terminated or repudiated the same.
(n) Funding. The financing sources identified in the Commitment
Letters shall have provided funds in accordance with the terms of the
Commitment Letters (or the Buyer shall have been able to arrange
alternative financing on terms not less favorable to the Buyer than the
terms identified in the Commitment Letters and in amounts sufficient to
consummate the transactions contemplated hereby).
(o) Certificate of Certain Cash Amounts. The Seller shall have
delivered to the Buyer the Certificate of Certain Cash Amounts as
contemplated by Section 2.5(f).
(p) CIBC Facility. The Seller shall have delivered to the Buyer a
letter from CIBC addressed to the Buyer and executed by CIBC stating (a)
the aggregate amount of any outstanding Indebtedness or other amounts owing
from XX Xxxxxx to CIBC or its Affiliates under the CIBC Facility as of the
Closing Date and (b) that, if such aggregate amount so identified is paid
to CIBC on or promptly following the Closing Date (together with any
additional amounts accruing subsequent to the Closing Date), CIBC will
release any and all Liens that CIBC or its Affiliates may have with respect
to XX Xxxxxx or any of its assets and will take all actions necessary to
effectuate such release (including executing and delivering to the Buyer
all reasonably necessary documentation in form suitable for filing with all
appropriate government Persons).
(q) Release of XX Xxxxxx. The Selling Parties shall have executed and
delivered to the Buyer the waiver and release attached hereto as Exhibit L,
and the same shall be in full force and effect.
(r) All Necessary Actions. All actions to be taken by the Seller
and/or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby and all certificates, opinions,
instruments and other documents required to be delivered by the Seller
and/or any of its Subsidiaries to effect the transactions contemplated
hereby will be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Buyer.
The Buyer may waive any condition specified in this Section 6.1 if it executes a
writing so stating at or prior to the Closing and such waiver shall not be
considered a waiver of any other provision in this Agreement unless such writing
specifically so states.
-58-
6.2. Conditions to Obligations of the Selling Parties. The obligation of
the Selling Parties to consummate the transactions to be performed by them in
connection with the Closing is subject to satisfaction of the following
conditions:
(a) Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties
set forth in Section 4 shall have been be true and correct in all material
respects when made and, except for such representations and warranties as
are expressly made only as of another specified date (each of which shall
be true and correct as of such specified date), shall be true and correct
in all material respects as of the Closing Date.
(b) Performance by the Buyer. The Buyer shall have performed and
complied in all material respects with all of its covenants hereunder
through the Closing.
(c) Absence of Litigation. No action, suit, or proceeding shall be
pending or threatened before any court or quasi-judicial or administrative
agency of any federal, state, local, or foreign jurisdiction that could
reasonably be expected to (i) prevent consummation of any of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (ii) cause any of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement to be rescinded following
consummation.
(d) Absence of Other Legal Prohibition. There shall not be any other
legal restriction that would make consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby illegal.
(e) Bankruptcy Court Action. The Bankruptcy Court shall have entered
the Procedure Order in accordance with Section 5.5(a) and the Approval
Order as contemplated by Section 5.5(b), and the Approval Order shall not
be subject to a stay pending appeal.
(f) Xxxx-Xxxxx-Xxxxxx. All applicable waiting periods relating to the
HSR Act shall have expired or been terminated and any proceedings that may
have been filed or instituted thereunder shall have been satisfactorily
concluded.
(g) Certificates. The Selling Parties shall have received a
certificate signed by the Buyer to the effect that each of the conditions
specified in Section 6.2(a) and (b) is satisfied in all respects.
(h) All Necessary Actions. All actions to be taken by the Buyer in
connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby
and all certificates, opinions, instruments and other documents required to
be delivered by the Buyer to effect the transactions contemplated hereby
will be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Selling
Parties.
(i) Employment Agreements. The Buyer shall have executed and delivered
the Employment Agreements, and the Buyer shall not have terminated or
repudiated the same.
-59-
The Selling Parties may waive any condition specified in this Section 6.2 if
they execute a writing so stating at or prior to the Closing and such waiver
shall not be considered a waiver of any other provision in this Agreement unless
such writing specifically so states.
7. Confidentiality.
----------------
The Seller and each of its Subsidiaries will treat and hold as confidential
all of the Confidential Information, will refrain from using or disclosing to
any Person any of the Confidential Information, and, after the Closing, will
deliver promptly to the Buyer or, at the request and option of the Buyer,
destroy all tangible embodiments and all copies of any Confidential Information
(and certify such destruction to the Buyer) which is in his, her or its
possession other than such information as constitutes an Excluded Asset or
relates solely to an Excluded Asset or Retained Liability; provided that, prior
to the Closing, the Selling Parties may use and disclose Confidential
Information (i) to any other Selling Party, or their respective employees,
advisors, accountants, designees and representatives in the Ordinary Course of
Business and with such protections and agreements concerning the obligation to
treat and hold such information as confidential as are consistent with the
practices of the Selling Parties prior to the Execution Date and (ii) to DEC and
the Buyer and their counsel, accountants and representatives in connection with
this Agreement. In the event that the Seller and/or any of its Subsidiaries is
requested or required (by oral question or request for information or documents
in any legal proceeding, interrogatory, subpoena, civil investigative demand, or
similar process) to disclose any Confidential Information, such Party will
notify the Buyer promptly of the request or requirement so that the Buyer may
seek an appropriate protective order or waive compliance with the provisions of
this Section 7. If, in the absence of a protective order or the receipt of a
waiver hereunder, the Seller and/or any of its Subsidiaries is, on the advice of
counsel, compelled to disclose any Confidential Information to any tribunal or
else stand liable for contempt, that Party may disclose the Confidential
Information to the tribunal; provided, however, that the disclosing Party shall
use his, her or its reasonable efforts to obtain, at the request and expense of
the Buyer, an order or other assurance that confidential treatment will be
accorded to such portion of the Confidential Information required to be
disclosed as the Buyer shall designate.
8. Termination. This Agreement may be terminated as follows:
-----------
8.1. Mutual Agreement. The Parties may terminate this Agreement by mutual
written consent at any time prior to the Closing (which such consent shall be
signed by each Party hereto and effective when so signed).
8.2. Certain Seller Non-Compliance. The Buyer shall have the right to
terminate this Agreement in any of the following events: (i) in the event of any
non-compliance by any Selling Party with the requirements set forth in Sections
5.5(a) or 5.5(b) hereof; (ii) in the event the Seller shall fail to file the
2000 10-K with the SEC no later than the fourth business day after the Execution
Date as provided in Section 5.9; (iii) in the event the 2000 Audited Financial
Statements shall fail to be released and delivered no later than the fourth
business day after the Execution Date as provided in Section 5.10; (iv) in the
event any of the Selling Parties shall fail to commence the Case no later than
the first business day following the fifth day after the Execution Date as
provided in Section 5.5(a) or fail to file the Sale Procedures Motion or Sale
Motion within two business days after the Petition Date; (v) in the event the
Seller and its
-60-
Subsidiaries shall fail to make their pre-merger notification filing with the
Federal Trade Commission no later than the Friday following the first Wednesday
after the Petition Date, or shall otherwise fail to comply in any material
respect with any of the terms and provisions of Section 5.4 hereof; (vi) in the
event the Bankruptcy Court shall fail to enter the Procedure Order in the form
attached hereto as Exhibit G-1 in all material respects within 20 days
(calculated in accordance with Bankruptcy Rule 9006) of the filing of the Sale
Procedure Motion; (vii) in the event the Bankruptcy Court shall fail to enter
the Approval Order in the form attached hereto as Exhibit G-2 in all material
respects within 60 days after the Execution Date (calculated in accordance with
Bankruptcy Rule 9006); (viii) in the event the Noteholders Consent is revoked or
otherwise fails to be in full force and effect; or (ix) in the event the
Bankruptcy Court grants any Person a superpriority claim or post-petition lien
senior to the rights of the Buyer to the Break-Up Fee and/or the Expense
Reimbursement, except with respect to the DIP Facility contemplated by Section
5.1(b)(i) or the Revolver and Term Facility. Any notice of termination under
this Section 8.2 may be sent by the Buyer to the Seller by facsimile, c/o Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx, Esq., (000) 000-0000, and shall be effective when so sent; provided,
however, that in the case of any termination by the Buyer pursuant to any of
Sections 8.2(i)-(v), the Buyer shall exercise its right to terminate this
Agreement not later than five business days after the entry by the Bankruptcy
Court of the Procedure Order, failing which such right shall be deemed waived
and of no further force or effect; provided, further, that in the case of any
termination by the Buyer pursuant to any of Sections 8.2(vi)-(ix), the Buyer
shall exercise its right to terminate this Agreement not later than five
business days after the delivery of notice by the Seller to the Buyer in
accordance with Section 11.9 stating that an event identified in any of Sections
8.2(vi)-(ix) has occurred.
8.3. Certain Buyer Rights to Terminate. The Buyer may terminate this
Agreement by giving written notice to the Selling Parties at any time prior to
the Closing in any of the following events (which such notice shall be made and
effective as provided in Section 11.9 hereof): (i) in the event there shall have
been any change, circumstance or event which constitutes or has resulted in, or
that would reasonably be expected to result in, a Material Adverse Effect, at
any time since the 2000 Fiscal Year End, and the Buyer is not entitled to
terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 8.2, sub-sections (ii) and (iii) of
this Section 8.3 or Section 8.5; (ii) in the event the Seller and/or any of its
Subsidiaries has breached any representation, warranty, or covenant contained in
this Agreement (other than as set forth in Sections 5.14(a), 5.14(b), 10.8(e)
and 10.8(g)) the result of which breach is to cause the conditions set forth in
Section 6.1(a) or (b) not to be satisfied (provided that any failure by any
Selling Party to provide the notice required pursuant to Section 5.3 shall only
be deemed a breach of the representation or warranty with respect to which such
notice should have been made); or (iii) in the event the Closing shall not have
occurred on or before December 31, 2001, by reason of the failure of any
condition precedent under Section 6.1 hereof (unless the failure results
primarily from the breach by the Buyer of any representation, warranty, or
covenant contained in this Agreement).
8.4. Certain Seller Rights to Terminate. The Selling Parties, acting
jointly, may terminate this Agreement by giving written notice to the Buyer at
any time prior to the Closing in any of the following events (which such notice
shall be made and effective as provided in Section 11.9 hereof): (i) in the
event the Buyer has breached any representation, warranty, or covenant contained
in this Agreement the result of which breach is to cause the conditions set
-61-
forth in Section 6.2(a) or (b) not to be satisfied (provided that any failure by
the Buyer to provide the notice required pursuant to Section 5.3 shall only be
deemed a breach of the representation or warranty with respect to which such
notice should have been made); or (ii) in the event the Closing shall not have
occurred on or before December 31, 2001, by reason of the failure of any
condition precedent under Section 6.2 hereof (unless the failure results
primarily from the breach by the Seller and/or any of its Subsidiaries of any
representation, warranty, or covenant contained in this Agreement). A
termination pursuant to clause (i) of this Section 8.4 is referred to herein as
a "Buyer Default Termination".
8.5. Alternative Transaction. The Selling Parties (acting jointly), or the
Buyer, may terminate this Agreement by giving written notice to the other
Parties at any time following the time that any of the Selling Parties enters
into an agreement with respect to an Alternative Transaction (which such notice
shall be made and effective as provided in Section 11.9 hereof); provided,
however, that no Party may terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 8.5
until the earlier of (i) 20 business days after the date originally scheduled by
the Bankruptcy Court for the Approval Hearing or (ii) the date of consummation
by the Seller and/or any of its Subsidiaries of any Alternative Transaction.
9. Liabilities in the Event of Termination.
----------------------------------------
9.1. Sale to a Third Party; Break-Up Fee. The Selling Parties and the Buyer
agree that the Buyer has expended substantial funds and other resources in
connection with the transaction contemplated hereby and that Buyer will suffer
substantial harm if such transaction is not consummated (because it will then be
impossible to realize the benefits that would arise therefrom), that the precise
amount of such harm is difficult to determine, and that it would be unfair for
the Buyer to bear such harm in view of the fact that both the Buyer and the
Selling Parties hope to benefit from such transaction. Accordingly, upon the
occurrence of an Alternative Transaction, neither the Buyer nor any of its
Affiliates or representatives shall have any Liability hereunder to the Seller
and its Subsidiaries and, to the exclusion of any other remedies the Buyer may
have (other than those provided under Sections 9.2 and 9.4) against the Seller
and any of its Affiliates, the Seller shall pay to the Buyer in immediately
available funds $2,500,000 (the "Break-Up Fee") immediately upon the date of
consummation by the Seller and/or any of its Subsidiaries of any Alternative
Transaction with the liens and priorities provided therefor in the Procedure
Order. The foregoing payments are agreed to constitute liquidated damages (and
not a penalty).
9.2. Expense Reimbursement. In addition (but subject to the proviso in the
last sentence of this Section 9.2), in the event that either (a) this Agreement
is terminated pursuant to Section 8.1, any sub-section of Section 8.2, any
sub-section of Section 8.3, or Section 8.5 of this Agreement ("Expense
Termination Events") or (b) any Selling Party files a motion (other than the
Sale Procedure Motion) to approve a form of agreement for an Alternative
Transaction or executes a binding agreement with respect to an Alternative
Transaction, or the Case is dismissed or converted to a Chapter 7 proceeding, or
a plan of reorganization is filed, then neither the Buyer nor any of its
Affiliates or representatives shall have any Liability hereunder to the Seller
and its Subsidiaries and, to the exclusion of any other remedies the Buyer may
have (other than those provided under Sections 9.1 and 9.4) against the Seller
and any of its Affiliates, the Seller shall pay to the Buyer, all reasonable
documented out-of-pocket costs and fees and
-62-
expenses incurred by the Buyer, or by its Affiliates, in connection with the due
diligence review of the Business, negotiation and documentation of this
Agreement and other actions taken in connection with the transactions
contemplated hereby incurred at any time from and after April 30, 2001,
including (i) reimbursement of all filing fees paid in connection with filings
under the HSR Act, and (ii) reimbursement of all fees and expenses paid to the
Buyer's lawyers, accountants and other professional or financial advisers, and
its lenders or other potential financing sources (including commitment fees, and
fees and expenses of such lenders' or other potential financing sources'
lawyers, accountants and other professional advisors); provided that (A) such
costs, fees, and expenses shall be subject to Bankruptcy Court approval (as to
reasonableness), (B) none of the foregoing fees shall be reimbursable to the
extent such fees were paid or are payable to any Affiliate of the Buyer (it
being understood that out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by such
Affiliates shall be reimbursable) and (C) the aggregate amount of such
reimbursement pursuant to this Section 9.2 shall not, in any event, exceed an
aggregate of $1,000,000 (the "Expense Reimbursement"). The Expense Reimbursement
payable by the Seller to the Buyer hereunder shall be paid in immediately
available funds immediately upon the first to occur of (a) the date of
consummation by the Seller and/or any of its Subsidiaries of any Alternative
Transaction, from the first proceeds of such Alternative Transaction and prior
to the attachment of any Lien on such proceeds pursuant to any Bankruptcy Court
order authorizing such Alternative Transaction or (b) the effective date of a
reorganization plan filed by the Seller and/or any of its Subsidiaries;
provided, however, that the foregoing Expense Reimbursement obligations in this
Section 9.2 shall not apply if the Buyer had previously terminated this
Agreement solely on the grounds of one or more of the following circumstances:
(I) because the condition set forth in Section 6.1(d) was not satisfied with
respect to any particular Contractual Obligation as a result of the Bankruptcy
Court denial of a motion to assume and assign any such Contractual Obligation on
the ground that there was not adequate assurance of future performance by the
Buyer (as assignee) as required by Bankruptcy Code Section 365(f)(2)(B) (a
"Specified Buyer Termination") or (II) pursuant to Section 8.3(i) and the
change, circumstance or event resulting in such termination arises from the
filing of the Case or from the public announcement thereof and is of a type
specified on Exhibit H hereto (and does not exceed in scope the limits described
therefor on Exhibit H hereto) or (III) pursuant to Section 8.3(ii) or (iii), in
either case, as a result of the failure of the condition precedent set forth in
either (1) Section 6.1(a) as a result of the failure of the representation
contained in Section 3.9(a) to be true and correct or (2) Section 6.1(c), and,
in the case of sub-clauses (1) and (2), the change, circumstance or event
resulting in such termination arises from the filing of the Case or from the
public announcement thereof and is of a type specified on Exhibit H hereto (and
does not exceed in scope the limits described therefor on Exhibit H hereto) or
(IV) pursuant to Section 8.3(iii) solely as a result of the failure of the
condition precedent set forth in Section 6.1(n) (Funding).
9.3. Termination by Reason of Buyer Default. If this Agreement is
terminated pursuant to a Specified Buyer Termination or pursuant to Section 8.4
by reason of a Buyer Default Termination, then neither the Selling Parties nor
any of their respective Affiliates or representatives shall have any Liability
hereunder to the Buyer, and the sole and exclusive remedy of the Seller and any
of its Affiliates shall be strictly limited to retention of the Acquired Assets
and the Buyer's forfeiture of any right to payment of cash in an amount equal to
the Deposit. In no event shall the Buyer or any of its Affiliates or
representatives have any Liability to the Seller and any of its Affiliates
hereunder other than as provided in the immediately preceding sentence in the
event this Agreement terminates as a result of a Buyer Default
-63-
Termination, and any claim, right or cause of action by the Seller and any of
its Affiliates against the Buyer or its Affiliates or representatives other than
as provided in immediately preceding sentence is hereby fully waived, released
and forever discharged. In no event shall any Party or its respective Affiliates
or representatives have any Liability to any other Party for special,
consequential or punitive damages, and any claim, right or cause of action or
for any damages that are special, consequential or punitive or for specific
performance of this Agreement is hereby fully waived, released and forever
discharged.
9.4. Return of Deposit. Upon any termination of this Agreement for any
reason (other than by reason of a Buyer Default Termination or a Specified Buyer
Termination), the Seller shall pay to the Buyer in cash an amount equal to the
Deposit. Upon termination of this Agreement as a result of a Buyer Default
Termination or a Specified Buyer Termination, the Seller's obligation to pay the
Deposit shall terminate and be of no further effect.
The Selling Parties and the Buyer agree that (i) the amounts payable pursuant to
this Section 9 are commercially reasonable and necessary to induce the Buyer to
enter into and consummate the transactions between the Buyer and the Selling
Parties contemplated by this Agreement and (ii) such amounts are the sole and
exclusive remedy prior to Closing for any breach of a representation, warranty
or covenant.
10. Additional Obligations.
-----------------------
10.1. Further Assurances. At any time and from time to time after the
Closing, at the request and expense of the Buyer and without further
consideration, the Seller and its Subsidiaries will execute and deliver such
other instruments of transfer, and provide testimony by affidavit or other
appropriate means, and take such other action as the Buyer may reasonably
request to transfer to the Buyer (or its designee), and to confirm the Buyer's
(or its designee's, the case may be) title to or interest in, the Acquired
Assets, assist the Buyer at the Buyer's expense in exercising all rights with
respect thereto, and consummate the other transactions contemplated hereby.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, if after the Closing any third
party shall be found to possess any Acquired Asset of which the Buyer is
entitled to possession by virtue of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, the Seller and its Subsidiaries shall take all commercially
reasonable steps to cause such Acquired Assets to be furnished and delivered to
the Buyer or its designees.
10.2. Financial Statements. At any time and from time to time, after the
Closing Date, at the reasonable request of the Buyer and without further
consideration, the Selling Parties will fully cooperate with the Buyer to
provide accounting or financial information concerning the Business, the
Acquired Assets and the Assumed Liabilities, in connection with the preparation
of any audited financial statements in accordance with Regulation S-X
promulgated under the Securities Act.
10.3. Change of Corporate Name; Domain Names. The Selling Parties agree
that, promptly after the Closing, they will file such certificates or other
documents at their own expense and to take such other actions as are necessary
in order to effectuate a change of name to new names bearing no resemblance to
their present names and to change the caption of the Case. The Buyer is hereby
authorized to file such certificates or other documents in order to effectuate
-64-
such changes of name after the Closing as the Buyer shall elect if any of the
Selling Parties fails to comply with the preceding sentence within 30 days after
the Closing. With respect to each Internet domain name currently registered in
the name of any of the Selling Parties or any of their respective predecessors
in interest or divisions or any other names under which any Selling Party
conducts or has conducted business (collectively, the "Domain Names"), none of
the Selling Parties, from and after the Closing Date, (x) will e-mail or
otherwise deliver the deletion template to Network Solutions, Inc., (y) will
otherwise delete, any Domain Name, or (z) will register with any registrar any
Internet domain name which is confusingly similar to the Domain Names.
10.4. Tax Cooperation. From and after the Closing, each of the Parties
hereto shall provide such necessary information as any other Party hereto may
reasonably request at the requesting Party's expense in connection with the
preparation of such Party's Tax Returns, or to respond to or contest any audit,
prosecute any claim for refund or credit or to otherwise satisfy any legal
requirement relating to Taxes of the Seller and its Subsidiaries or the
Business.
10.5. Certain Taxes.
(a) Unless otherwise exempt under section 1146(c) of the Bankruptcy
Code, all state and local sales, transfer, transfer gains, excise,
value-added or other similar taxes, including all state and local taxes in
connection with the transfer of the Acquired Assets that may be imposed by
reason of the sale, transfer, assignment and delivery of the Acquired
Assets shall be borne by the Seller. The Buyer agrees to take such actions
and to execute such certificates and other documents as from time to time
shall be reasonably requested by the Seller in order to minimize the amount
of any taxes described in the first sentence of this Section 10.5(a).
(b) The Seller shall, on or before the Closing, deliver to the Buyer a
certificate issued by the Minister of National Revenue of Canada pursuant
to Section 116 of the Income Tax Act (Canada), the effect of which is to
prevent the imposition of Liability on the Buyer for any Canadian income
taxes, interest or penalties or additions thereto, in respect of the
proposed disposition by the Selling Parties of any Acquired Assets
("Canadian Taxes"), the disposition of which is subject to Canadian Taxes
(a "Section 116 Certificate"). In the event that the Section 116
Certificate has not been delivered to the Buyer on or before the Closing,
the Buyer will be entitled to withhold and remit to Canadian taxing
authorities a portion of the Purchase Price, the withholding and remittance
of which would, in the Buyer's reasonable judgment, be sufficient to
reimburse the Buyer for its obligations to withhold in respect of, and
otherwise satisfy any Liability for, any or all Canadian Taxes. In any case
where the Buyer withholds and remits any amount pursuant to this section,
the Buyer shall be deemed to have paid such amount to the Seller as part of
the Purchase Price.
10.6. Transfer of Certain Funds Received Post-Closing. With respect to any
and all amounts received or collected by any of the Selling Parties from and
after the Closing (a) attributable to, or in respect of, any of the Works,
Marks, Copyrights, any accounts receivable of the Seller and/or any of its
Subsidiaries or any other Acquired Asset, and (b) which become the property of
the Buyer as a result of the consummation of the transactions contemplated by
this
-65-
Agreement, the Selling Parties shall provide notice of such receipt or
collection to the Buyer and pay promptly (and in any event within five business
days of their receipt or collection) to the Buyer any and all such amounts so
received or collected by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an
account specified by the Buyer or by other means acceptable to the Buyer.
10.7. Expenses. Except as contemplated by Sections 2.5(b) and 9.2, each
Party will bear his, her or its own costs and expenses (including legal and
accounting fees and expenses) incurred in connection with this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby whether or not consummated.
10.8. Employees.
(a) Conduct Prior to Closing Date. Prior to the Closing Date, the
Buyer shall take no action to cause any of the Selling Parties to terminate
the employment of any person employed by any of the Selling Parties (each,
a "Business Employee"), and the Selling Parties shall be under no
obligation to terminate any Business Employee.
(b) Offers of Employment. Within three business days of the entry of
the Approval Order by the Bankruptcy Court, the Buyer shall offer
employment to each Business Employee then employed in the Business by any
of the Selling Parties to whom the Buyer has not previously offered
employment (other than (x) any such Business Employee who is party to an
employment agreement with the Seller or any of its Subsidiaries and who
fails to execute an Employment Agreement which remains in full force and
effect on the Closing Date or (y) any such Business Employee who is party
to one of the "Enhanced Severance Letters" listed in Section 2.3(d) of the
Disclosure Schedule who fails to execute a Waiver and Release in the form
attached hereto as Exhibit C-3 which remains in full force and effect on
the Closing Date), to commence as of the Closing Date, at substantially the
same remuneration that such employee received immediately prior to Closing,
on substantially the same terms that applied to such employee immediately
prior to the Closing Date (including each Party's right to terminate the
employment arrangement without notice or reason, as applicable) and at a
location not more than twenty-five (25) miles from such employee's work
location immediately prior to Closing Date. Business Employees who accept
the Buyer's offer of employment are referred to collectively as
"Transferred Employees".
(c) Benefit Plan Participation. All Transferred Employees who are
participating in the Acquired Employee Benefit Plans as of the Closing
shall continue to participate in the Acquired Employee Benefit Plans in
which they are participating as of the Closing. After the Closing Date, the
Buyer shall have the right to amend or terminate any Acquired Employee
Benefit Plan in accordance with the respective terms thereof. For purposes
of determining a Transferred Employee's eligibility to participate in any
employee benefits plan maintained by the Buyer on or after the Closing, and
for the purpose of vesting in and accrual of benefits in any such employee
benefit plan maintained by the Buyer on or after the Closing, years of
service with the Seller shall be taken into account.
-66-
(d) The Buyer hereby covenants to adopt, promptly following the
Closing, a bonus plan substantially identical to that of the Golden Books
Bonus Plan (as so adopted, the "Buyer Plan"), which shall provide for the
payment of bonuses thereunder in respect of fiscal year 2001 to Transferred
Employees who are "Covered Employees" (as defined in the Golden Books Bonus
Plan) as of the Execution Date based on the Financial Objectives (as
defined in the Golden Books Bonus Plan), established by the Seller for such
fiscal year , a written summary of which objectives have been provided by
the Seller to the Buyer prior to the Execution Date; notwithstanding
anything herein to the contrary, it is hereby agreed and understood that
(i) any bonuses earned as set forth above with respect to fiscal year 2001
shall be paid within the same timeframe as such payments would have been
made under the terms of the Golden Books Bonus Plan (i.e., on or prior to
March 30, 2002) except that there will be no acceleration of payments under
such plan as a result of the execution of this Agreement or consummation of
the transfer of the Acquired Assets as contemplated in Section 2 of this
Agreement; (ii) such bonuses shall be calculated in a manner consistent
with that used in calculating such bonuses in respect of fiscal years 1999
and 2000; (iii) the Buyer shall separately track the Business for fiscal
year 2001 in order that such calculations can be made, and analysis of
achievement of objectives can be assessed, on a comparable basis; and (iv)
administration and maintenance of the Buyer Plan in respect of fiscal years
including 2002 and beyond shall in all respects be at the sole discretion
of the Buyer and its management.
(e) Prior to the Closing, the Seller shall have paid in cash in full
all bonuses of any kind or nature with respect to any fiscal year prior to
the 2001 fiscal year that, as of December 31, 2000, had been earned by any
employee of the Seller and/or any of its Subsidiaries but that have not
been paid as of the Execution Date, in each case funded solely pursuant to
the DIP Facility contemplated by Section 5.1(b)(i) or capital contributions
made after the Execution Date; provided, however, that notwithstanding
anything herein to the contrary, the Seller's failure to fulfill this
covenant (i) shall not serve as a basis for the Buyer terminating this
Agreement and (ii) shall entitle the Buyer to the reduction in the Cash
Purchase Price described in subsection (bb) of the definition thereof.
(f) The Seller shall pay in cash any and all severance payments
arising prior to the Closing Date in full as and when due to any employee
of the Seller and/or any of its Subsidiaries entitled to such payments, in
each case funded solely pursuant to the DIP Facility contemplated by
Section 5.1(b)(i) or capital contributions made after the Execution Date.
The Seller shall not amend any such severance arrangements on or before the
Closing Date in a manner adverse to the Buyer.
(g) Prior to the Petition Date, the Seller shall have paid in cash in
full all sales commissions of any kind or nature with respect to any fiscal
year prior to the 2001 fiscal year that, as of December 31, 2000, had been
earned by any employee of the Seller and/or any of its Subsidiaries but
that have been not paid as of the Petition Date; provided, however, that
notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Seller's failure to
fulfill this covenant (i) shall not serve as a basis for the Buyer
terminating this Agreement and (ii) shall entitle the Buyer to the
reduction in the Cash Purchase Price described in subsection (bb) of the
definition thereof.
-67-
10.9. Notices and Access Letters. Promptly after the Closing, the Seller
shall execute and deliver to each of the Persons listed in Section 3.5(b)(ii) of
the Disclosure Schedule a Notice and Acknowledgment of Transfer substantially in
the form attached hereto as Exhibit K and shall use reasonable commercial
efforts to obtain an "access letter" or similar document from each such third
party permitting the Buyer or its authorized representatives or agents to have
physical access to any Acquired Asset in the possession of such third party (or
its agents). To the extent the Seller has not executed and delivered such Notice
and Acknowledgment of Transfer to the Persons listed in Section 3.5(b)(ii) of
the Disclosure Schedule and obtained such access letters or similar documents
within 10 business days after the Closing, the Seller hereby authorizes the
Buyer to execute and deliver on behalf and in the name of the Seller such Notice
and Acknowledgment of Transfer to such Persons and to obtain such access letters
or similar documents.
11. Miscellaneous.
-------------
11.1. No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement shall not confer any
rights or remedies upon any Person other than the Parties and their respective
successors and permitted assigns.
11.2. Entire Agreement. This Agreement (including the documents referred to
herein) constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties and supersedes any
prior understandings, agreements, or representations by or between the Parties
or their respective Affiliates, written or oral, to the extent they related in
any way to the subject matter hereof.
11.3. Succession and Assignment. This Agreement shall be binding upon and
inure to the benefit of the Parties named herein and their respective successors
and permitted assigns. No Party may assign either this Agreement or any of its
rights, interests, or obligations hereunder without the prior written approval
of the other Party; provided, however, that: (i) the Buyer may assign any or all
of its rights and interests hereunder to one or more of its Affiliates and
designate one or more of its Affiliates to perform its obligations hereunder
(provided that no such assignment or designation shall relieve the Buyer of its
obligations hereunder and provided, further, that no such assignment or
designation shall be made if the result thereof would be to render the Closing
more difficult to effect) and (ii) the Buyer and its Affiliates may assign all
or any portion of their rights hereunder to any of their respective lenders as
security.
11.4. Amendments and Waivers. No amendment of any provision of this
Agreement shall be valid unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the
Buyer and the Selling Parties and no waiver of any right under this Agreement
shall be valid unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the Person
against whom enforcement of such waiver is sought. No waiver by any Party of any
default, misrepresentation, or breach of warranty or covenant hereunder, whether
intentional or not, shall be deemed to extend to any prior or subsequent
default, misrepresentation, or breach of warranty or covenant hereunder or
affect in any way any rights arising by virtue of any prior or subsequent such
occurrence.
11.5. Severability. If any term or other provision of this Agreement is
invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by rule of law or public policy,
all other conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain
in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal
-68-
substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner
materially adverse to any Party. Upon such determination that any term or other
provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the Parties shall
negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original
intent of the Parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner to the end
that the transactions contemplated hereby are fulfilled to the extent possible.
The Parties expressly acknowledge and agree that nothing in this Section 11.5
shall in any way limit, restrict or impair the right of the Buyer or the Seller
to terminate this Agreement pursuant to the provisions of Section 8 hereof
whereupon the provisions of Section 9 hereof shall take effect according to
their terms.
11.6. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which
together will constitute one and the same instrument.
11.7. Headings. The section headings contained in this Agreement are
inserted for convenience only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or
interpretation of this Agreement.
11.8. Waivers Under Indiana Law. The Buyer represents and warrants that the
Buyer is aware of the purpose and intent of the disclosure document required
under the Indiana Responsible Property Transfer Law, Indiana Code 13-25-3, and
hereby waives delivery of disclosure documents at least thirty (30) days prior
to the transfer of the Crawfordsville Facilities from the Seller or its
Subsidiaries to the Buyer. The Buyer agrees that no disclosure document shall be
required to be completed by the Seller or its Subsidiaries to the extent the
Crawfordsville Facilities do not fall within the definition of "property" for
purposes of Indiana Code 13-25-3, or if the Seller and its Subsidiaries are not
required by law to provide the disclosure document.
11.9. Notices. All notices, requests, demands, claims, and other
communications hereunder will be in writing. Other than the notice referred to
in Section 8.2 (for which the procedures specified in such section shall
govern), any notice, request, demand, claim, or other communication hereunder
shall be deemed duly given (i) upon electronic confirmation of facsimile, (ii)
one business day following the date sent when sent by overnight delivery and
(iii) five business days following the date mailed when mailed by registered or
certified mail return receipt requested and postage prepaid at the following
address:
If to any of the Selling Parties:
--------------------------------
Golden Books Family Entertainment, Inc.
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attention: Xx. Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx and Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx, Esq.
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
-69-
With a copy to:
--------------
Xxxxxxx Xxxx & Xxxxxxxxx
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000-0000
Attention: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, Esq. and Xxxxxxx X. Xxxx, Esq.
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
If to the Buyer, to it care of:
------------------------------
DIC Entertainment Corporation
000 Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxx.
Xxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Messrs. Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx and Xxxx X. Xxxxxx
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
With a copy to each of:
----------------------
Xxxx Capital, Inc.
000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Xx. Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
and
Ropes & Xxxx
Xxx Xxxxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Xxxxxxx X. XxXxxxxx, Esq. and Xxxxxxx Xxxx, Esq.
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Any Party may send any notice, request, demand, claim, or other communication
hereunder to the intended recipient at the address set forth above using any
other means (including personal delivery, expedited courier, messenger service,
telecopy, telex, ordinary mail, or electronic mail), but no such notice,
request, demand, claim, or other communication shall be deemed to have been duly
given unless and until it actually is received by the intended recipient. Any
Party may change the address to which notices, requests, demands, claims, and
other communications hereunder are to be delivered by giving the other Party
notice in the manner herein set forth.
11.10. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the domestic laws of the State of New York without giving effect
to any choice or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of New
York or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of
any jurisdiction other than the State of New York.
11.11. Construction. The Parties have participated jointly in the
negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. In the event an ambiguity or
question of intent or interpretation arises, this
-70-
Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the Parties and no
presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any Party by
virtue of the authorship of any of the provisions of this Agreement. The word
"including" shall mean including without limitation. Definitions are equally
applicable to both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined, and
references to the masculine, feminine or neuter gender include each other
gender. The words "hereof", "herein", "hereunder" and words of similar import
shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular section or
provision of this Agreement, and reference to a particular section of this
Agreement shall include all subsections thereof. It is expressly agreed and
understood that time shall be considered of the essence in connection with the
performance of the respective agreements, covenants and obligations hereunder of
each Party hereto. Neither the listing nor description of any item, matter or
document in any Section of the Disclosure Schedule nor the furnishing or
availability for review of any document shall be construed to modify, qualify or
disclose an exception to any representation or warranty of any Party made herein
or in connection herewith, except to the extent that such modification,
qualification or exception is described in the section of the Disclosure
Schedule corresponding to such representation or warranty or such section of the
Disclosure Schedule specifically cross-references another section of the
Disclosure Schedule in which such modification, qualification or exception is
described. The Parties intend that each representation, warranty, and covenant
contained herein shall have independent significance. If any Party has breached
any representation, warranty or covenant contained herein in any respect, the
fact that there exists another representation, warranty or covenant relating to
the same subject matter (regardless of the relative levels of specificity) which
the Party has not breached shall not detract from or mitigate the fact that the
Party is in breach of the first representation, warranty or covenant. All
covenants, agreements, representations and warranties of a Party made herein and
in the certificates, exhibits and schedules hereto shall be deemed to have been
relied on by the other Parties hereto, notwithstanding any investigation made by
or on behalf of any of the Parties or any opportunity therefor or any
constructive knowledge thereby obtained.
11.12. Incorporation of Exhibits and Schedules. The Exhibits and Schedules
identified in this Agreement are incorporated herein by reference and made a
part hereof.
11.13. Bankruptcy Court Jurisdiction. THE BUYER AND THE SELLING PARTIES
AGREE THAT THE BANKRUPTCY COURT SHALL HAVE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION DURING THE
CASE OVER ANY DISPUTE BETWEEN THE BUYER AND THE SELLING PARTIES, AND SHALL
OTHERWISE HAVE NON-EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OVER ALL DISPUTES AND MATTERS, IN EACH
EVENT RELATING TO ANY OF (i) THE INTERPRETATION AND ENFORCEMENT OF THIS
AGREEMENT OR ANY ANCILLARY DOCUMENT EXECUTED PURSUANT HERETO AND/OR (ii) THE
ACQUIRED ASSETS AND/OR ASSUMED LIABILITIES, AND THE BUYER AND EACH OF THE
SELLING PARTIES EACH EXPRESSLY CONSENTS TO SUCH JURISDICTION.
11.14. Survival. The representations and warranties contained in Sections 3
and 4 of this Agreement shall not survive the Closing. The covenants of the
Parties contained in this Agreement shall survive the Closing, except that the
covenants contained in Section 5.3 shall not survive the Closing.
[The Remainder Of This Page Has Been Left Blank Intentionally]
-71-
[Asset Purchase Agreement]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have executed this Agreement on the
date first above written.
THE BUYER: DIC GB ACQUISITION CORP.
By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
------------------------------
Name: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Title: Vice President
THE SELLING PARTIES: GOLDEN BOOKS FAMILY
ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
By: /s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx
------------------------------
Name: Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx
Title: Chief Administrative Officer
GOLDEN BOOKS PUBLISHING
COMPANY, INC.
By: /s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx
------------------------------
Name: Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx
Title: Chief Administrative Officer
GOLDEN BOOKS HOME VIDEO, INC.
By: /s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx
------------------------------
Name: Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx
Title: Secretary
[Asset Purchase Agreement]
LRM ACQUISITION CORP.
By: /s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx
------------------------------
Name: Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx
Title: Secretary
XXXXX XXXXX ENTERPRISES, INC.
By: /s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx
------------------------------
Name: Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx
Title: Secretary
SLE PRODUCTIONS, INC.
By: /s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx
------------------------------
Name: Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx
Title: Secretary
